Seamus Keogh ready if Under-19 Cricket World Cup opportunity comes

On standby for Australia’s Under-19 World Cup squad, a last-minute call-up could come at any time. Young paceman Seamus Keogh will be ready.

Australia national development manager Graham Manou’s message was simply, “be ready”.

An Under-19 Cricket World Cup call-up could come at any time and Northcote young gun Seamus Keogh is determined not to let any opportunity slip.

The paceman is on standby for the 15-man squad picked to compete in the West Indies in January and while not wishing injury or misadventure on anyone a chance to represent your country is every cricketer’s dream.

Keogh impressed enough in a series of practice matches in Adelaide this month and got the call last week.

It all got very real when he had to order his uniform.

Seamus Keogh in action for Northcote. Picture: Keogh family

“It’s very exciting, I didn’t really expect it,” Keogh said.

“I had to order my clothes the other day, so hopefully I get to wear it.

“I would have liked to have made the proper squad but I’m still pretty happy to be a reserve and to be identified.

“You don’t wish someone will get injured but hopefully something goes my way and I get there.”

Keogh need look no further than Essendon’s Cam McClure who was a reserve for the Under-19 World Cup in 2019 and got a last-minute call up, flying to South Africa for Australia’s final two matches.

The 18-year-old is one of five Victorians named in the extended squad with Melbourne’s Campbell Kellaway and Harkirat Bajwa and Geelong’s Joshua Garner in the main squad and Liam Blackford (Geelong) a reserve.

The Mildura native had been travelling down on weekends to play for Northcote in previous season but has now made the move to Melbourne full-time.

Injury and representative duties have limited Keogh to one T20 Super Slam and two Second XI matches for Northcote this season.

He doesn’t have to look far for advice at Bill Lawry Oval, Dragons teammates Jonty Rushton, Michael Topp, Jack and Dan Lalor, Mark Phelan and housemate Jaga Koduru have all been part of representative squads.

Junior club Mildura Settlers, former South Australia and Victoria all-rounder Mark Cleary and Dragons coach Warren Pereara have played a big part in Keogh’s development.

Seamus Keogh playing for Victoria.

“We’ve covered some miles over the years but I’m down here full-time now, so it’s good to play every game and be among it.

“It was hard coming down from Mildura, not being able to train and just coming down on the weekends to play.

“Mildura Settlers helped me out a lot in my junior years.

“It was a good club to be around, Mark Cleary helped me out with my bowling a lot, it’s a good grassroots club.

“I knew Warren through family and I went through the (Northcote) Stoinis camp and it went from there. He’s been a really good help to me.

The opportunity to train and play with Australia’s best junior talents has only cemented in Keogh’s mind what he wants to do.

Still growing and developing but already capable of bowling in the 130kmh region, the sky is the limit.

“I don’t hold my hopes to high but it would be nice to get to that level and see where it goes,” Keogh said.

“(Selection) has definitely helped me along, kick-started (my dream).

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“I’ll try a little bit harder now, focus a bit more and put more time in and hopefully something comes of it.

“I haven’t had the best start (this season) but hopefully get better after Christmas and the year goes on.

“The team is going really well, so hopefully we can carry that through.”

The Under-19 World Cup begins on January 14 with Australia to face hosts the West Indies, Sri Lanka and Scotland in Group D.