Ringwood quick Zak Evans set to spearhead Australian attack at Under-19 World Cup

YOUNG Ringwood quick Zak Evans will be out to confirm his status as one of the rising stars of Australian cricket at this month’s Under-19 World Cup.

YOUNG Ringwood quick Zak Evans will be out to confirm his status as one of the rising stars of Australian cricket at this month’s Under-19 World Cup.

The 17-year-old tearaway, who has already been clocked at 141km/h, has been earmarked to take the new ball when the three-week tournament starts next week in New Zealand.

RELATED: Zak Evans collects maiden Premier Cricket five-wicket haul in Ringwood’s 56-run win over Prahran

RELATED: Ringwood quick Zak Evans impresses for Australia in under-19 series against Sri Lanka

Coach Ryan Harris said Evans would spearhead the attack alongside New South Wales’ Ryan Hadley as Australia looks to secure its first piece of Under-19 World Cup silverware since 2010.

“I’ve managed to see him and spend some time with him over the last couple of years and he has gotten bigger, stronger and quicker and I just want him to hopefully have some success over here and learn against some pretty good opposition,” Harris said.

“The thing I like about him is he swings it and he’s got some pace and that’s what we want so he’ll definitely have that opportunity to lead us and to take that new ball.”

Zak Evans was one of Australia’s leading performers in an under-19 series against Sri Lanka in 2017. Picture: Cricket Australia

Evans showed why he is seen as one the country’s most exciting quicks when he destroyed Sri Lanka in a five-game under-19 series in April last year in Tasmania, blowing the tourists away with three four-wicket hauls.

The performances drew comparisons to Australian paceman James Pattinson.

He also claimed his maiden Premier Cricket five-for in November, finishing with 5-27 from just 5.2 overs against Prahran in Round 5.

The Box Hill resident said it was a career highlight to be included in the 15-player Under-19 World Cup squad.

“When I heard my name got called out it was a pretty special moment and I was a little bit taken aback,” Evans said.

“I was left pretty speechless on the day but really looking forward to the games coming up and hopefully we can go pretty far.”

Harris said there were similarities between Evans and Pattinson.

“Definitely pace-wise, I think Patto was a very good pace at that age but he’s definitely got him for pace,” Harris said.

“Technique is a little bit different I think but very similar attributes — moves the ball both ways and has pace.”

Australia’s first game of the tournament will be on January 14 against India at Mount Maunganui.