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Aussie cricket star reveals why he WANTS to be sledged by the Barmy Army in the Ashes English fan group have been a force in the sport for more than 30 years By MICHAEL PONTICELLO Published: 00:28 GMT, 10 November 2025 | Updated: 00:33 GMT, 10 November 2025 The player tipped to partner Usman Khawaja at the top of Australia's batting order in the First Ashes Test against England has explained how he's looking forward to taking on the Barmy Army. Jake Weatherald, aged 31, is expected to make his Test debut against Australia's old enemy when both teams take to Perth's Optus Stadium on November 21. Playing for Tasmania, the left-handed batter has started this summer's Sheffield Shield season on fire. He's scored three fifties in six innings and also finished last season as the competition's top run-scorer. But despite staring down the barrel of having to endure relentless sledging from the famous Barmy Army, Weatherald is set to embrace it. 'Being sledged by the Barmy Army would be one of the greatest moments of my life,' he told the ABC. Weatherald and wife Rachel Pearce (pictured) got married on Italy's Amalfi Coast in 2024 The Barmy Army (pictured) have been a big part of Ashes culture since 1994 The Tasmanian opener has been one of the most consistent players in recent Sheffield Shield seasons 'It (being sledged) would be funny. 'I'll just take it on for what it is and every moment is going to be a cool experience.' Weatherald has been banging on the door of Test selection for the last 18 months, and is set to become Usman Khawaja's fifth opening partner since David Warner retired last January. The Tasmanian has already had a win this year by beating Sam Konstas, who made his Test debut on Boxing Day last year, to a spot in the squad for the first Ashes Test. It comes as England's flagship supporter group has responded to his declaration. 'I'm sure we can make that happen, Jake,' the Barmy Army said in a post on X. The group has also revealed which player they will 'target' the most as the series begins. Stand-in skipper Steve Smith will once again feel the full force of the Army's taunting, with the fans certain to reference his role in the 2018 Sandpapergate cheating scandal. Weatherald made his first-class debut back in 2016 for South Australia against NSW After being viewed as Australia's next long-term opener following his debut in last year's Boxing Day Test, Sam Konstas failed to make the squad for the first Test Smith is second on the list of all-tome Ashes run-scorers, and became the fifth player to score back-to-back hundreds in the same Test in the first match of the 2019 series 'We thoroughly expect to get hammered by the Aussie fans, but we'll give it back,' said Barmy Army Perth Supporters co-founder James Whitehouse. 'The fact that Steve Smith is captain is going to be a nice one for us, because let's face it, he's got it coming again.' It's no wonder why the Barmy Army will attempt to go after Smith at every given chance. The 36-year-old almost won the 2019 Ashes series singlehandedly after averaging over 110 across the four Tests he played, has scored 12 Test hundreds versus England, and captained Australia to their dominant 4-0 series win in 2017-18. England have not won the Ashes since 2015, and haven't won an Ashes series in Australia since 2010-11. It's a series which Smith claims to be his 'toughest' one yet. 'England had a really good side at that point,' he said. 'I was young, batting down the order and trying to find my way. 'I probably wasn't ready at that stage either, and it was tricky at that stage.' The First Ashes Test will get underway at Optus Stadium in Perth on November 21. Steve SmithPerthIndia Share or comment on this article: Aussie cricket star reveals why he WANTS to be sledged by the Barmy Army in the Ashes Add comment
