‘Be yourself’: Warner reveals words to Aussie Test debutant in ‘emotional’ baggy green ceremony
David Warner has revealed what he said to Australian debutant Jake Weatherald as he and fellow rookie Brendan Doggett were presented with their baggy green caps ahead of the Ashes opener.
Weatherald and Doggett became the 472nd and 473rd players to represent Australia in Test cricket when they were confirmed as starters in the first Test at Perth Stadium.
Doggett was presented his first Test cap by teammate Scott Boland, who was the 463rd Test player, while Weatherald was presented by the 426th Test player Warner, one of Australia’s best ever openers.
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Warner revealed he was quite emotional presenting his first baggy green cap since retiring in 2024 after 112 Test matches for his country.
“I think so, but you always think you are going to leave something out, so hopefully I got it all out,” Warner said on Fox Cricket when asked if he said everything he planned to say to Weatherald.
“It was quite emotional actually, that was my first presentation, but what a moment for Jake.
“10 years since his debut and it was in a final and made that hard move to go down to Tassie on one of the hardest surfaces in the country. He’s been phenomenal, just outstanding.
“He deserves that crack and at the age of 31 he has got at least six or seven years to go.”
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Jake Weatherald and Brendan Doggett get their baggy greens.Source: FOX SPORTS
Weatherald will open the batting alongside Warner’s long-time teammate and friend Usman Khawaja in his first Test for his country.
The 31-year-old Northern Territory born opener has scored 5,322 first class runs at 37.47, including 13 centuries and 26 half centuries and a top score of 198.
Warner revealed his advice to Weatherald was to represent the cap with pride and to back himself and do the things that earnt him his well deserved call-up in the first place.
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“I just said you are part of the legacy that has been going on for over 100 years and just wear that cap with humility and pride and just be yourself and back yourself,” Warner said.
“He looks quite relaxed actually. Very relaxed.”
Doggett, also 31, earned his debut after 190 wickets in 50 first class matches, including nine five-wicket hauls and best figures of 6 for 15.
The Queenslander got the nod after injuries to Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood, who were ruled out of the first Test.
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