Sydney Thunder sign ‘next Ricky Ponting’ Jason Sangha

He has been described as “the next Ricky Ponting” but batting prodigy and freshly minted Sydney Thunder signing Jason Sangha has figured out novel ways dull the constant pressure.

There was a time when Jason Sangha never switched off from cricket.

“It was constant,” he said.

“I used to play a game of cricket, come home and watch cricket, then before I’d go to bed I’d watch YouTube highlights of cricket.”

He’d give himself injuries – shin splints, hip flexor, you name it – thanks to an insatiable work ethic inherited from his father, a former Indian national track champion.

But the NSW batting prodigy and freshly minted Sydney Thunder signing doesn’t immerse himself on that level now.

He goes home and watches NBA, plays FIFA and spins tracks on his laptop.

Switching off is a trick Sangha has learnt since stepping onto the senior scene, where his compelling form has added to the pressures already faced by a 19-year-old “learning on the go”.

Jason Sangha will play in his first BBL tournament with Sydney Thunder. Picture: Phil Hillyard

His Sheffield Shield century against Tasmania a fortnight ago - his second in only six first-class matches - sparked a call from Kerry O’Keeffe to fast-track him into the Australian Test team.

O’Keefe labelled Sangha the country’s best technical talent since former Test skipper Ricky Ponting, a figure who lived and breathed the game in much the same way.

And it’s sparked a debate about the pros and cons of throwing raw teenagers into the international mix.

Sangha treats it as external noise.

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“It’s a nice encouragement but nothing more than that,” he said.

“The more you get invested in what people say, good or bad, it can steer you down the wrong path.”

It’s why he’s not reading into talk he could be the answer to Australia’s Test woes against India at some point this series.

“I haven’t really thought that far ahead yet – I’ve only played four games for NSW and I’m just starting off my career really,” Sangha said.

“If I keep putting runs on the board the rest will take care of itself.

Sangha is the talk of the town. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Sangha celebrates his Shield century. Picture: AAP

“The more I think about the level above and what I could do to crack into an Australian team the more I go away from the whole purpose of me playing cricket, which is playing for my family, my friends, trying to win the game for NSW or Thunder.”

Playing Big Bash League will be another string to the bow.

It’s also a chance to closely observe Thunder teammates Shane Watson, Jos Buttler and his favourite Joe Root on “the art of batting, how you go about your innings, and constructing a really good batting performance”.

It also continues the rollercoaster of a career already replete with “ups and downs”.

Jason Sangha shows off his tasty technique. Picture: AAP

The ups include last year’s maiden first-class century against England with a Cricket Australia XI, that second one for NSW this month, and captaining Australia to the final of the Under-19 World Cup.

The downs are “mental battles along the way”, when a gruelling schedule of training and the HSC threatened to strip away his love for the game.

“Now I’m in a very good headspace,” he said.

“Those things in the past are a good learning curve and I’m glad that sort of happened early in my career.

“I know how to counter it the next time it happens. I’ve been very lucky, I’ve had a very good support network with my friends and family.”

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