Weatherald, 31, has reached Australia’s squad with a first-class record of 5,269 runs at an average of 37.63, including 13 centuries and a highest score of 198.
And he puts a lot of focus on mental wellbeing and having the right mindset.
Hale said: “It was a fascinating insight for me into what that pro level of cricket looks like. Within his professional circles, he assists in culture groups in Tasmania which is all about creating a brilliant environment to play cricket – and these things were all to get him ready for when this opportunity came along.”
Weatherald will find himself up against one of England’s quickest attacks in years with Jofra Archer, Mark Wood and Josh Tongue among their pace options.
“From conversations I’ve had with Jake, a lot of his best innings have come against express bowling – when he got the 100 in the Big Bash final, that was against Jofra Archer,” said Hale.
“One of the oddities when you get a player like Jake in club cricket, you don’t get to see the highest level of his skill-set because he isn’t facing people who can bowl 90mph.
“But we did on a couple of occasions – Copdock that year had Michael Rae, who’s played for New Zealand A and isn’t slow by any means and he pushed the ball in halfway down and I’ve never seen anyone as quick on the pull shot as Jake and he absolutely whacked it.”
He added: “I think he’ll fare pretty well against it (from England). I suspect the pitches are going to be a little spicy and it’s going to be difficult to be an opening batter. He is going to have a tricky challenge but he understands what it takes to survive in those conditions.”
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