U19 National Champs, Albury: Meet the 26 rising cricketers set to represent NSW Metro and Country
U19 World Cup spots will be up for grabs when cricket’s next generation collide at the National Championships in Albury. Meet the 26 NSW players representing Metro and Country.
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The state’s best up-and-coming cricketers are about to gather in Albury for the men’s under-19 National Cricket Championships.
With two squads – NSW Metro and Country – the best of the state’s city and regional stars will be on show from 30 November until the final on Thursday, 7 December.
After the satisfaction of knocking off Queensland in last season’s decider, NSW Metro will have their sights set on back-to-back titles when the competition gets underway.
Meanwhile, with a host of players boasting strong returns in Sydney grade cricket, the Country boys aren’t to be underestimated. And with the under-19 World Cup set to take place in South Africa early next year, the competition for spots is sure to be fierce.
Meet the NSW stars named to play in Albury.
NSW METRO
After coaching NSW Metro to last season’s title, Anthony Clark returns with a squad boasting eight members who made the trip to Adelaide.
With each member of the 13-man squad having at least had a taste of first grade in NSW Premier Cricket, Metro is once again expected to be fighting for honours on the final day of competition.
Before the squad boarded the bus to head south, we caught up with Clark to find out how the team is shaping up.
RAFAEL MACMILLAN – ST GEORGE
A member of last season’s victorious U19s Metro side, the prodigious off-spinner returns for his final campaign as skipper.
Made great inroads last season with selection for NSW against the touring West Indies and continues his development with the assistance of a Basil Sellers Scholarship.
“The good thing about Raf is he doesn’t seek leadership, he just wants to be a good team man,” said Metro coach Anthony Clark
“All the boys respect him highly and he’s a fantastic bowler. He’s happy to admit when he’s made errors and he’s in good form – he got 6-35 off 20 overs in first grade for St George the other week.”
SAM KONSTAS – SUTHERLAND
With a host of junior run scoring records already under his belt, Konstas played a match saving innings in last season’s U19 final against Queensland and earlier this year toured England with the U19 Australian side.
Now vice-captain, the right-hand opener is a permanent fixture in first grade for Sutherland and so far this season has hit more than 250 runs with a best of 95.
“Sam has grown up a lot over the last 12 months and learned a lot about his game,” said Clark.
“Playing in England this year was really good for him and he’s come back and worked a few things out.
“To be at his best we need him to read situations and understand when he’s at the crease that he doesn’t have to overthink.”
CAMERON TUNKS – NORTHERN DISTRICT
No stranger to the U19 nationals, Tunks may have missed out on Blues selection last summer but such are his talents, the selectors squeezed the top order specialist into the Northern Territory squad.
Has flourished as an opener for Northern District this season, striking two fifties and more than 400 runs across all formats at 37.2.
HARJAS SINGH – WESTERN SUBURBS
Blasted two centuries to win a spot in last year’s team of the tournament before being named in the U19 Australian side.
One of nine in the Metro squad with a Basil Sellers Scholarship, the 18-year-old left-hander has been a feature on the Sydney grade scene since notching his maiden ton two years ago.
“Harjas has performed at all levels,” said Clark before highlighting his stars biggest challenge.
“I think it’s probably just consistency, like working out what method is going to help him make the runs that he deserves.
“He’s a leader and talks a lot on the field. He is well liked by his teammates and super talented, he’ll be a real import player for us.”
RYAN HICKS- MOSMAN
A wicketkeeper and top order specialist who thrives under pressure, Hicks broke the record for most catches in last season’s decider against Queensland and alongside Konstas did the bulk of the heavy lifting with the bat.
Good enough to make the squad as a batter, the right-hander has hit more than 300 runs at 45 in Mosman’s top grade this season.
“Ryan is a fantastic player who was also in the U19 Australian side,” said Clark.
“He is a pretty important player for us and is the only keeper in our squad.”
TRYSTAN KENNEDY – GORDON
A rarity in this squad, Kennedy has been plucked from the outer after being overlooked for NSW honours last summer.
Determined not to miss out again, the persistent right-hander finished last season in Gordon’s firsts, and this season, solidified his spot with a commanding knock of 132 against Manly.
ADDISON SHERRIFF – NORTH SYDNEY
The youngest of three brothers to represent the state, Addison returns after last summer’s U17 nationals.
Known for moving the ball both ways, the tall right-armer continues to evolve with the bat and has been a consistent performer across the board for Norths.
“Addison is a three facet player that bowls, bats and is excellent in the field,” Clark explained.
“Having him is really important, he’ll fill in the gaps for us. He’ll probably bat No.6 and he’ll add strength to the attack.”
CAMERON FRENDO – FAIRFIELD-LIVERPOOL
Another on loan to the North Territory last season, Frendo continues to go from strength to strength.
The left-arm off-spinner has been rewarded with plenty of first grade opportunities at Fairfield-Liverpool and during the winter scored a plane ticket to England with the Aussie U19 side.
“Cameron did okay in England and since getting back home we’ve seen a recent uptrend in his bowling,” said Clark.
“He’s obviously a very good player, but we hope to see him keep improving on what he’s done.”
YUVA NISHCHAY – FAIRFIELD-LIVERPOOL
A skilled all-rounder, Nishchay was a fringe member last season. Now, the tall right-arm quick heads to Albury following several promising returns for Fairfield-Liverpool, including a tidy 14 overs against Sutherland that returned 3-34.
“Yuva is a skilful player and a real danger when the ball is swinging and he’s got some ability with the bat too,” said Clark, before touching on the development of key mental aspects faced by many in the squad.
“We’re working with him to simplify his thoughts. Just determining what it looks like for him to be successful and how to get the best out of his skills.”
CHARLIE ANDERSON – NORTHERN DISTRICT
One of the most respected up-and-coming fast bowlers on the Sydney grade scene, Anderson has eased his way into the season after recovering from stress fractures in the back.
An Australian U19 rep, at his best Anderson can be relied upon for early wickets – a thought not lost on Clark.
“Charlie is probably a banker for us with the ball.”
TOM STRAKER – SUTHERLAND
A fully fit Tom Straker would walk straight into the Aussie U19 World Cup side.
Another quick working his way back from injury, the tall Sutherland speedster’s pace and steepling bounce is a tough proposition for even the best top grade batsman.
“Tom injured his ankle in England with the U19 Australian squad during the winter and had to return home,” said Clark.
“He’s back playing again, but he’ll be limited by what he can do when he’s away with us.”
LUKE CALLANAN – RANDWICK-PETERSHAM
A right-arm quick with plenty of wraps, Callanan has worked his way into first grade this season where he rocked a strong Northern District line up with 4-46.
“Luke gets better every year,” Clark said.
“He replaced Tom in England and delivered some quick spells. He’s one talented guy that I think will continue to get better in the next couple of years, his ceiling is quite high.”
RYAN GUPTA – PARRAMATTA
Since winning a place in the U17s last season the hard working Parramatta leggie shows no signs of slowing down.
“Ryan is a young right-arm leg-spinner with really good control and nice variations,” said Clark.
“He’s grown up a lot in the last year and his fielding has improved too. We’ve got off-spin and a left-arm spinner, so Ryan gives us the full repertoire, and he’s played some first grade at Parramatta too.”
NSW COUNTRY
After a difficult campaign last year that saw the team fail to record a win at the carnival, coach Dean Burke is optimistic about his side’s chances this time round.
“We’ve got a really balanced team with a lot of talent across the board.
“A lot of players this season are gaining valuable experience in Premier Cricket in NSW and a lot of players have also been performing really well in country carnivals and at their local clubs.”
In particular, the team’s batting line-up, led by the likes of captain Jake Scott and Joey Gillard, is in good touch, giving the coach confidence of a good showing in Albury.
“Five of our top seven players have scored centuries and three of them are playing first grade Premier Cricket in Sydney, so we’ve got a really strong batting unit,” said Burke.
“In saying that, I think we’ve also got a lot of depth across the board. I wouldn’t say we’ve got out and out superstars but we’ve got a team of highly skilled cricketers all the way from one to 13.”
And far from bringing up the bottom up the ladder like last year, Burke has his sights set far higher for what is a home tournament for the Country boys.
“We’re definitely going down there to win as many games as possible. The goal for us is to make the finals and then go as far as we can. We really want to aim for the stars and have a really big carnival.”
JAKE SCOTT (C) – RIVERINA
The skipper comes into the carnival in rare form after belting 281 runs at an average of 70 during last month’s Country Colts (under-19s) tournament.
And excellent striker of the ball, he has also broken into the first XI at Penrith, and will be hoping to lead his side with some big performances.
“He’s an exciting talent and is starting to make his mark now,” said Burke. “He’s an elegant left-hander at the top of the order and a really handy bowler as well, so he’s going to be a very important member of our team.”
BAILEY ABELA – GREATER ILLAWARRA
When it comes to left-handed top order batsmen in form, it’s hard to go past Abela, who last weekend turned on the fireworks in the open men’s Country Bash and Country Championships.
Belting 99 from two T20 games and 194 from three one-dayers, Abela finished the weekend as the combined top runscorer across the two competitions as his Greater Illawarra side made the NSW Country T20 final.
ANGUS CAMPBELL – GREATER ILLAWARRA
An attacking right-handed batter and a dangerous bowler, Campbell is an excellent all-rounder who has been earmarked as a future first class cricketer after recently being awarded a Basil Sellers scholarship.
Playing for Bankstown in the NSW Premier Cricket, the Illawarra product has progressed through the grades to get a taste of first XI cricket this season.
RYAN CATTLE – GREATER ILLAWARRA
Another of the Greater Illawarra brigade in the side, the right-arm leggie will play a key role as part of the team’s spinning options.
After putting in some excellent spells in the recent Colts carnival, Cattle has also been among the wickets for Sutherland in the PG Shield.
BRYCE COOK – NORTH COASTAL
One of five players backing up from last year’s campaign, the fast bowler from Kew on the Mid-North Coast will look to make early inroads in the opposition top order.
A former Australian under-15s representative currently playing for Gordon in Sydney, Cook will be hoping for a big tournament to once again put himself in the frame for a jersey in next year’s under-19 world cup.
JOEY GILLARD – NEWCASTLE
The opening batsman comes into the tournament in fine touch, piling on the runs for Gordon in grade cricket. He scored a brilliant 107 against Sutherland in the PG Shield earlier this month and put together a well-made 63 against Manly Warringah in first grade.
A clever cricketer with shots all around the park, Gillard was part of the victorious Newcastle side that took out this year’s Colts tournament and will be key for Country at the top of the order.
CHARLIE HOWARD – NORTH COASTAL
One of the spearheads of the Country attack, the quick from Sawtell was one of Country’s best last year and will be one of the team’s main strike weapons in Albury.
Showing his ability to step up to senior cricket, Howard has bowled well for the Sydney Cricket Club in first grade, with the Country selectors hoping this translates into wickets at the national level.
RILEY KEEN – WESTERN
The young firebrand from Condobolin starred at the recent Colts tournament and brings a lot of X-factor to the Country side with his sharp left-armers and dangerous hitting.
“Riley bowls with really good ball speed and he’s someone who’ll be able to bring us that extra pace this year,” said Burke.
“He can also bat and at Colts he showed on a couple of occasions that he can score very quickly, so he gives us a bit of power at the back end of our innings.”
BAILEY LIDGARD – CENTRAL COAST
Fresh from picking up a bag full of wickets at the Colts carnival, the left-arm orthodox spinner from Kincumber Avoca gives the Country side much-need balance after an injury forced the team to play without a left-arm tweaker last year.
“He’s a very good bowler and he’ll play a very important role for us through those middle overs by keeping it nice and tight,” said Burke.
“He’s very consistent, attacks the stumps and you know what you’re going to get with him.”
OSCAR LYONS – RIVERINA
The right-handed top-order batter from Lavington will have the advantage of playing on familiar territory in what will be a home tournament for him in Albury.
With a good technique and temperament, Lyons showed his ability to put a big score together in last month’s Colts carnival, belting 122 for Riverina against Southern Districts to ultimately finish as the tournament’s fourth-highest runscorer.
ANGUS PARSONS – WESTERN
A real star in the making, Parsons is a sharp opening bowler and handy lower-order batter who Country will be looking to for early wickets.
He comes into the tournament in good touch, starring for Western with the ball in the Colts carnival and fresh from taking a remarkable hat-trick for Mosman against Sutherland in Premier Cricket first grade.
SAM WEIR – NORTH COASTAL
Another really strong batsman who has the ability to play his shots as well as dig in and build a big innings.
Weir recently showed that he can dominate at the rep level at the recent Colts carnival, smashing 205 runs at 68 to finish the week as the third-highest runscorer.
HARRY SCOWEN – CENTRAL NORTH
The wicketkeeper batsman from Muswellbrook in the Hunter Valley is a flashy top order bat and excellent behind the stumps.
But not only is he strong with the bat and good with the gloves, Scowen is also a mature cricketer with a good head on his shoulders that will prove invaluable during the tournament.
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