Ashes Debate: Taylor Backs Jake Weatherald Debut as Selectors Search for Khawaja Successor

The countdown to the First Ashes Test has intensified the debate over Australia\’s batting order, with cricket legend Mark Taylor making a strong public push for veteran batter Jake Weatherald to earn his debut cap.

Taylor emphasized the need for selectors to settle a sustainable opening combination soon, given the limited time remaining for one of the current openers.

\”Usman [Khawaja] is 39 in two weeks time, so he is not going to be playing for too much longer,\” Taylor noted on Nine\’s Wide World of Sports.

Taylor expressed his strong desire to see the 31-year-old Weatherald finally get his chance at the top of the order, despite not being the youngest player available.

\”I really hope that Jake Weatherald plays. I think they\’ve got to start settling on an opening batting combination… He has a few years left in him and he deserves that selection. So well done to him, I hope he plays at the top of the order.\”

Conversely, Taylor noted he was \”not surprised\” by the decision to axe young batsman Sam Konstas for the second time in his brief Test career.

The selection uncertainty isn\’t limited to the batting, however. Taylor warned fans to be prepared for the possibility that veteran spin bowler Nathan Lyon may be dropped from the First Test lineup to accommodate the return of fit all-rounder Cameron Green.

If Green is fit to bowl, Taylor argues, he is an automatic inclusion. This forces a difficult choice where Lyon\’s spot could be sacrificed for a pace-heavy attack, utilizing part-time spin from players like Travis Head or Beau Webster.

The Australian team selection for the First Ashes Test, which begins on November 21 in Perth, is expected to be finalized shortly.