Cam McClure called up to Australia’s Under-19 World Cup squad
An Essendon young gun will jet off to South Africa this week after a late call-up to Australia’s Under-19 World Cup squad, ready to make his mark in the tournament’s final two games.
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Watching Australia’s Under-19 World Cup campaign from his couch, Cam McClure never thought he’d get the chance to pull on the green and gold in South Africa.
That all changed with one phone call on Wednesday afternoon.
The Essendon young gun will fly out on Friday to join the Australian squad for the final two matches of the tournament.
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The exciting young paceman will replace Queensland’s Connor Sully after he was injured in the quarter-final loss to India.
“I was watching (the quarter-final) the other night thinking ‘jeez, I’d love to over there’,” McClure said.
“I didn’t think there was any chance I was going to be going over, so I was just sitting back supporting the boys, and sure enough the day after I got the call.
“I was ecstatic.”
“Lynchy (Victoria chairman of selectors Andrew Lynch) rang me and said I’ve got some good and bad news for you.
“He said ‘you’re out of the Futures team this week but you’re going to the World Cup’ and I just went silent for a minute.”
If selected to make his international debut, McClure will face either Pakistan or Afghanistan on February 2.
After Australia’s hopes of hoisting the World Cup were dashed, the final two games will decide the seeding for the 2022 tournament to be hosted by the West Indies.
McClure was named as an squad emergency after an outstanding national championships campaign with Vic Country.
He said he was looking forward to the opportunity to be a part of the under-19 team and showcasing his talents.
“I’ll go over and enjoy the experience and hopefully take a few wickets if I get a game” he said.
“I’m super excited to get over there with the boys.”
The 18-year-old claimed 10 wickets in the tournament at an average of 17 and has taken 14 scalps in six Premier Cricket matches for Essendon.
It’s been a whirlwind summer for McClure having made his Premier Cricket debut (taking 4-52), Vic Country selection and a Victoria Second XI call-up.
He also featured in the annual Gilchrist XI v Ponting XI Twenty20 exhibition match, which showcases some of the country’s elite underage talents.
McClure took 2-18 for the Gilchrist XI in a wicked spell of opening bowling that reduced the Ponting XI to 2-16 before it recovered to win by seven wickets.