O’Connor on fast track to stardom after being crowned under-19s best

“Let’s hope he can follow those legends.” Aidan O’Connor could be the next big cricket name to come out of Launceston after he was crowned the best player at the under-19 national championships.

Tasmania’s Aidan O’Connor was named player of the tournament at the under-19 National Cricket Championships in Albury, 2023-24. Picture: Cricket Australia

Tasmania under-19 coach Andrew Gale says they have a responsibility to provide Aidan O’Connor opportunities that “push him” after he was named the under-19 national championships player of the tournament.

The 17-year-old gave his chances of being selected for the Australian squad for the under-19 World Cup in South Africa early next year a huge boost by claiming the Brian Taber Medal.

O’Connor’s 117 off just 70 balls in the opening match win over ACT was the headline act of a superb tournament where he yielded 261 runs at 52.2, and seven wickets with his lethal fast bowling.

The Australia squad to play in South Africa is set to be announced early next week, and the Launceston product is looking to become the first Tasmanian to be chosen at under-19 level in five years.

“He did fantastically well and we’re really proud of him, the way he performed. He had an impact on a lot of games,” Gale said.

“There’s obviously a history of players coming through from that part of Tasmania (Launceston), and some legends of the game. Let’s hope this is just the start of his journey and he can follow some of those legends.”

Asked how far he could go in his career, Gale said his willingness to take a game on will help.

“I don’t want to look too far ahead for his career, but at the minute he’s had a taste of second grade cricket and has learned some valuable lessons from that. Now he’s stepped up in his age group and been a match winner, that’s what you’re looking for,” he said.

“Over the next few years the key is to get him opportunities that push him, and he learns from the experiences he has, whether that’s the Tasmanian second team or if he goes on and plays some Big Bash.

Tasmania's Aidan O'Connor was named player of the tournament at the under-19 national championships, while James Scott took the most wickets. Picture: Cricket Tasmania

“He’s certainly got all the attributes, He bats and bowls and is a jet in the field.

“And he’s fearless, that’s the main thing I like about him. He takes the game on and he always makes an impact whether it’s a run out, a great catch or a match winning innings.”

O’Connor and Kingborough leg-spinner James Scott were both named in the team of the under-19 championships.

Scott took the most wickets in the tournament, claiming 17 in six matches at an average of 14.8.

Gale hopes the displays will help him get some more overs for Kingborough in CTPL cricket.

“Let’s hope it kickstarts his season really,” he said.

“The wickets were a bit dry and tacky so it suited the spinners. But you’ve still got to bowl the ball in the right areas, and he did that consistently with good variations.

“You could see him growing in condifence as the tournament went on. I hope he can go back to Kingborough and continue his good form now.

“I guess I’m biased, but I always want my players in the pathway getting as many opportunities as I can.

“They’ve almost got to be put out of their comfort zone to see what men’s cricket is about to improve.

“Then they can come back to the pathway and they realise the areas they’ve got to work on.”

Tasmania finished the tournament with two wins, but dropped catches proved costly in tight losses to Queensland and Northern Territory.