Future national cricket stars: Meet the 15 young men chosen to compete at ICC U19s World Cup
They were the stars of the U19s National Cricket Championships, and now a 15-strong squad has been named to tackle the World Cup in South Africa. Meet the young men earmarked as the future of Aussie cricket.
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It’s the squad that has produced many a top-line cricket talent over the years, and now the next batch of Australian U19s has been named.
Following on from the Under-19 National Cricket Championships in Albury, a 15-man squad will head to South Africa to contest the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup.
The success of the NSW Metro side in the tournament has led them to a nation-high six representatives in the side, followed by four from Queensland, two from Victoria and Western Australia, with Aidan O’Connor the lone Tasmanian.
MEET THE AUSTRALIAN U19s SQUAD
HARKIRAT BAJWA (MELBOURNE, VICTORIA)
Went to the 2022 Under-19 World Cup as a 17-year-old and returns for a second crack. The off-spinner has become a regular part of the Vic Country set-up in recent years. While he might not be a huge turner of the ball, his ability to continue bowling his dangerous makes him a headache for opposition batters.
HARRY DIXON (ST KILDA, VICTORIA)
Already has his name up in lights as a potential senior Australian representative, the left-hander is a name to keep an eye on. Dixon hit 222 runs during the recent under-19 national champs for Vic Metro. He already has centuries at under-19 international level to his name.
AIDAN O’CONNOR (GREATER NORTHERN RAIDERS, TASMANIA)
Named the Player of the Tournament at the recent national titles. The George Town and Riverside product plundered 261 runs at 52.2, including 117 off 70 balls against ACT, and also took seven wickets with his fast bowling. He is the first Tasmanian to make the quad since Jarrod Freeman five years ago.
MAHLI BEARDMAN (MELVILLE, WESTERN AUSTRALIA)
Nine wickets at an average of 17 was enough to see Beardman earn his place in the squad after making his WA debut earlier this season. The previous Australian U19s representative and fast-medium bowler was a consistent force for his state, with best figures of 3/35 against NSW Country.
COREY WASLEY (ROCKINGHAM-MANDURAH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA)
Produced one of the knocks of the tournament with an incredible 164 runs against Tasmania, propelling him to 256 runs for the week at an average of 42.67. Was effective when given the ball with a pair of scalps and looked good in the field as well with three catches.
CHARLIE ANDERSON (NORTHERN DISTRICT, NSW)
Described by NSW coach Anthony Clark as ‘a banker with the ball’ prior to the U19 nationals, the silky-smooth right-arm speedster delivered in spades, rocking Queensland in the final with two early blows. Highly respected on the Sydney Grade scene, last month Anderson decimated a strong Wests outfit taking 7-33.
RYAN HICKS (MOSMAN, NSW)
Hicks’ prowess as a reliable gloveman and classy bat have previously been recognised with U19 national honours following his player of the match performance in the grand final at last summer’s nationals. Thrives under pressure, and this season the right-hander has already hit more than 300 runs at 45 in Mosman’s top grade.
SAM KONSTAS (SUTHERLAND, NSW)
A colossus with the bat, Konstas continues to shine at every level. Missed the opening rounds of the U19 nationals while making his Sheffield Shield debut at the SCG. Upon arriving in Albury, the right-hand opener put the foot down, blasting 150 and taking out the player of the match award in the grand final with an unbeaten 63.
RAFAEL MACMILLAN (ST GEORGE, NSW)
The tall right-arm off spinner took 6-35 in first grade before heading south to captain NSW Metro to the U19 nationals title. A noted team man, the 18-year-old was a key member of the successful U19 Australian side that travelled to England last August.
HARJAS SINGH (WESTERN SUBURBS, NSW)
An electric left-hander known for his high strike rate, Singh loves to drive and pounce on anything remotely short of a length. Is no stranger to Aussie U19 selection, and seems to have been around forever after notching a maiden top grade ton while still only 16.
TOM STRAKER (SUTHERLAND, NSW)
An ankle injury saw the towering paceman return home early from last winter’s U19 tour of England. Started the summer behind the eight-ball but quickly found form in Albury, and alongside Anderson was instrumental with the new ball in the Blues’ grand final victory.
LACHLAN AITKEN (GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND)
The Queensland opener and wicketkeeper is an experienced campaigner on the national and international stage having recently represented Australia in the U19 International Series, where he showed flashes of his talent against England. After a slow start to the recent U19 National Championships, he began to hit his straps as the tournament progressed, posting scores of 157, 48 and 74 in his final three innings.
TOM CAMPBELL (WESTERN SUBURBS, QUEENSLAND)
Campbell is a destructive batter who tore the opposition to shreds in the U19 National Championships. He was the competition’s top run-scorer as he scored 290 runs at an average of 58.
CALLUM VIDLER (VALLEY, QUEENSLAND)
The 18-year-old is a relentless seam bowler who is not afraid of the big stage.
He only took seven wickets at 25.57 in the National Championships, but has proven to be a class above in the green and gold. In his most recent international Test in September, he spearheaded the Australian attack, taking eight wickets for the game including a five wicket haul in the first innings.
HUGH WEIGBEN (VALLEY, QUEENSLAND)
The 19-year-old all-rounder has already made his mark on international cricket and is set to be a pivotal member of the Australian squad. In Australia’s recent tour of England he showed he can do it with bat and ball as he took 5-33 in the Youth Test at Worcester and scored a classy captain’s knock of 77 runs off 86 balls in a Youth ODI at Hove.
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Originally published as Future national cricket stars: Meet the 15 young men chosen to compete at ICC U19s World Cup
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