Queensland cricket side named ahead of U19 national championships
Does the Queensland U19 side harbour a future Test batsman and bowler? We reveal the Maroons best 14 ahead of the national championships, including a rare insight into the country’s leading youth batsman.
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At a time when Australian cricket fans grimace at the lack of Sheffield Shield players emerging to put pressure on the Test incumbents, does the Queensland under-19 team playing at next week’s national championships contain potential Test players.
St Patrick’s College Year 11 student Steve Hogan, a 17-year-old batsman, and elite fast bowler Callum Vidler were joint duxes of the young Maroons 14 man squad which will compete at the U19 national in Adelaide starting next week.
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Aside from Vidler and Hogan the are other 12 outstanding prospects in the Queensland U19s also featured in this story, but Hogan and Vidler were obviously leading players.
Hogan, a batsman, was the only Queenslander selected for the Australian under-19 tour of India in August and September, and at last season’s under-17 nationals he was named the player of the tournament.
So who is Steve Hogan?
Hogan, 17, is a Sandgate-Redcliffe boy who made his first grade debut having just turned 16 about 12 months ago, and earlier this month scored his maiden first grade century.
He has been an AIC First XI player since Year 9 at St Patrick’s, and scored a century against the Indian under-19s in India during September.
Speaking on The St Patrick’s Podcast, Hogan gave an insight into his desire to earn a professional cricket contract, discussed his disciplined training and spoke about the enjoyment he had for his family, friends and the sport.
Hogan’s training regimen certainly gives an insight into his organisation and work ethic.
“I have every week set out from start to finish,’’ Hogan said.
“I know what every week looks like before it even starts.’’
While he knows what works and what does not, he was also realistic and was prepared to accept change if he felt it would improve his game.
“If you take a look at yourself really hard and be honest with yourself, that’s when you see the most improvement,’’ Hogan said.
Aside from one rest day each week, Hogan trained Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with his team and then trained an extra net session each Friday with either his dad Frank, brothers Adam and Murdoch, or friends Dan Seaton, Jet Lebkie, Mitch Pascoe - all Nudgee College old boys who play at Sandgate-Redcliffe.
“It (the extra training) is something I like doing. It is not hard for me. It’s good for me,’’ Hogan said.
Those mates and his family were also his confidants.
If, for some reason, self doubts creep into his preparation, they will swoop to raise his confidence levels.
“Self doubt is going to come mainly from yourself and I think being around a good group of friends and family, it’s really going to back you up,’’ Hogan said.
Hogan was also fiercely determined.
Recently his mates bet him he would not score a century - and he promptly went out and scored a 170. Then he collected the winnings from his bet - golf wedges.
For all his dedication around preparing for cricket, Hogan said it was important to also keep enjoying himself and remember why he played.
“Since I was seven I’ve had the same mindset and it is always something I’ve wanted to do - just play cricket,’’ Hogan said.
“So I keep being motivated, having fun and enjoying myself while taking that time to also have fun with some mates. I don’t take things for granted as well’’.
A lover of tacos, particularly from Guzmani and Gomez, Hogan said touring India with the Australian under-19 side three months ago was an amazing life and sporting experience.
“You go there for cricket and it’s one of the best experiences you’ve had, but the other aspect was just how different the lifestyle is there,’’ Hogan said.
“It is obviously very hot and humid and the air quality... so it is a lot different. But it is a great experience. The learning you have over there was unreal, so it was a great experience.’’
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Aside from Hogan, the Queensland under-19 team is full of other talent.
Just as Hogan was the state’s most promising batsman, Valley’s Vidler was Queensland’s next generation fast bowler.
Earlier this year Vidler represented the Queensland Bulls for the first time.
A former GPS First XI premiership winner with Brisbane Grammar School, Vidler will help spearhead the attack.
The Queensland and Brisbane Heat contracted player has recently returned from an off-season groin injury and the Under-19 titles will enable the teenage quick to further build his bowling workloads.
Of the 14 players, eight have Queensland Premier first grade experience this season.
Meet the best of the best Queensland will throw at interstate rivals at the championships.
Alexander Procopis (Northern Suburbs)
The kid has had half a dozen bats in Bulls Masters’ first grade and while he is yet to make an impact (83 runs at 16.60), he is gaining more experience playing seniors than he would be playing against peers in his own age group.
A right handed batsman and handy medium pace swing bowler originally from Maroochydore juniors, he was a shadow player for the Australian under-19s and unlucky not to make the tour of India. In six second grade games, he has scored 168 runs at 33.60.
Bowlers
Brayden Meegama (University)
A prodigious junior leg spin bowling talent, the prolific wicket taking Meegama broke into the powerful Uni first grade side to play one match, while in second grade he has 22 wickets at just 19.36. An automatic inclusion in our Taverner’s U17 dream team XI from the past three seasons, Meegama developed his love for the game playing junior cricket for Wolston Park.
Charlie Lachmund (Ipswich)
An exciting fast bowling prospect from the booming Ipswich catchment, the Toowoomba Grammar School ace has had the invaluable experience of playing half a dozen games this season in the top grade against the men. He is an exciting, raw quick who can shake things up.
Luke Wegner (South Brisbane)
Another fast bowler, Wegner is getting an education for the ages at South Brisbane where he has played 13 first grade games this season across all formats. An Ipswich Grammar School product, the rookie has taken 12 wickets at 36.66. He has gone at just over five runs an over, but money cannot buy the experience he is gathering against the men.
Tighe Morris (Valley)
A bowler-batsman, this young all-rounder from Churchie dipped his toe into first grade this season playing in three matches. He is a tremendous leg spinner who builds pressure and takes wickets. With the bat in first grade he has scored 99 runs and is yet to be dismissed. In second grade he has scored 199 runs at 33.17 and taken
Wicketkeeper
Jayden Draper (Valley)
Being tutored at school (Churchie) and at club (Valley) by former Queensland gloveman Peter Drinnen, Draper has a mounting reputation as a wicketkeeper. He will look to continue to turn potential into performance when he represents the Maroon cap at the championships. Draper has played one first grade game this season, and in 10 second grade games has scored 270 runs at 38.57.
Bailey Garnham (Gold Coast)
The Mudgeeraba Nerang junior made his Dolphins first grade debut earlier this decade and
has a knack of stepping up in class when given the opportunity.
Of course the three regional players, fast bowler Seth McGinty (Cairns Rovers), paceman Ben Ramsbotham (Townsville Western Suburbs) and batsman Aidan Firman (Norths, Cairns) also have senior experience within their regional hubs.
A left handed batsman but right arm quick, McGinty made his first grade debut for Rovers way back in 2020 against Cassowary Coast. His surname is well known at the Rovers - dad is a life member.
Firman is a wildcard talent. He is a wonderful driver, either along the ground or in the air, and can also dig out a yorker and hit it for four.
Ramsbotham returns after playing at last season’s championships. A first grade player in the north since 2022, he has been a real bend your back paceman
The two other members of the squad, spinner and lower order batsman Jack Balkin (Toombul) and tearaway quick Saxon Jeh (South Brisbane) were prolific talents.
Jeh is the brother of Toyota Second XI spinner Zanden who has vast second grade experience this season.
Balkin also has an older brother of note, Second XI fast bowler Tom. Jack is a natural leader who will contribute with bat, ball and in the field. He has taken seven wickets in second grade this season bowling off spin.
Queensland team
Aidan Firman (Norths, Cairns)
Alexander Procopis (Northern Suburbs)
Bailey Garnham (Gold Coast)
Ben Ramsbotham (Townsville Wests)
Brayden Meegama (University)
Charlie Lachmund (Ipswich)
Jack Balkin (Toombul)
Jayden Draper (Valley)
Luke Wegner (South Brisbane)
Saxon Jeh (South Brisbane)
Seth McGinty (Cairns Rovers)
Steven Hogan (Sandgate-Redcliffe)
Tighe Morris (Valley)
Callum Vidler (Valley)
Originally published as Queensland cricket side named ahead of U19 national championships
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