The Tasmanian cricketers pressing for World Cup spots at national champs

Tasmania’s under-19 coach believes a handful of players have done enough to be under consideration for selection in Australia’s World Cup team. See who’s been turning heads at the national championships.

Aidan O'Connor and Zac Curtain after scoring centuries against ACT. Picture: Cricket Australia

Tasmania coach Andrew Gale hopes Australia selectors will ‘have a good look’ at some of his players for the looming World Cup after their starring displays at the under-19 national championships.

Tasmania has recorded two wins and two losses thus far, and only dropped catches prevented them from upsetting Queensland in their most recent game on Monday.

Aggressive all-rounder Aidan O’Connor has shown why he was elevated to the Tigers’ contract list as a local rookie for this summer with both bat and ball.

Tasmania skipper Jesse Willmott is also on the radar after being selected for a Cricket Australia under-19 talent camp early this year.

Kingborough leg-spinner James Scott has defied a lack of bowling in the lead-up to claim 15 wickets at an average of 11.67 thus far, while Clarence keeper-batsman Thomas Murrell has provided handy runs in the late middle order.

O’Connor and Zac Curtain heeded Gale’s advice to take the opposition on at Albury with 114 not out off just 70 balls and 117 respectively in Tasmania’s first-up win over ACT.

Launceston prospect O’Connor’s knock included seven sixes, and he backed it up with 71 against Queensland.

Tasmania has two wins from four games thus far at the national under-19 championships. Picture: Cricket Australia

The under-19 World Cup will be held in South Africa in January and February, and Gale is adamant some Tasmanians should be considered.

“It would be nice if we could get one or two lads in that Aussie under-19 team. It’d be a great story for our pathway,” Gale said.

“They’ll select it straight after the tournament, we’ll have a few lads going close for that.

“The lads have played the way we wanted them to, and got on the front foot.”

Gale is also Tasmania’s second XI coach, and has got the chance to watch O’Connor closely as part of that side in recent weeks.

“He’s right in the mix or I’d like to think he is, hopefully they (Australian selectors) have a good look at him,” he said.

“He’s a brave, fearless cricketer. He likes to take the game on and has impacts on the game, whether it’s a run out or scoring a fast 20 or 30 or bowling important overs.”

Gale said O’Connor’s next step is to learn the craft of out-thinking batsmen rather than blasting them out with his pace as he begins to play better, more experienced players.

“He’s got all the skills. The key now is maturity so he knows when to use them, particularly with the ball,” Gale said.

“He’s got all the balls - in-swing, out-swing, slow balls - it’s now about how he constructs his overs and his spells.

“As he’s going up the ladder, he’s finding out his margin for error is smaller. We’ve got to get him more consistent and educate him on how to ball, not just run in and bowl as fast as you can.”

Tasmania finished fifth after the pool matches and will take on South Australia on Wednesday before a final game on Thursday.

NOTABLE TASSIE PERFORMERS

Under-19 national championships thus far.

AIDAN O’CONNOR

Batting: 192 runs at average of 96, strike rate 120, Best: 114no off 70 balls against ACT

Bowling: Three wickets at average of 30.66, economy rate 4.60, Best: 1-13 (five overs) against ACT

Gale says: “I’ve seen Aidan’s development quite closely the last three months, with him being in and around the second XI team.

“We’ve tried to expose him to new opportunities there, and he’s come to this (under-19) level and dominated with bat and ball. He’s an exciting cricketer.”

Tasmania leg spinner James Scott has been a standout at the under-19 national championships. Picture: Cricket Australia

JAMES SCOTT

Bowling: 15 wickets at average of 11.67, economy rate 5.22, Best: 6-29 (8.2 overs) against Vic Country

Gale says: “He has done better than I thought he would, because he hasn’t bowled that many overs (for Kingborough) heading into the tournament.

“He’s stepped up to the plate and bowled really well. He did have an (achilles) injury at the start of the season and just the way the fixtures have fallen with byes and washouts, the cards haven’t fallen for him.”

ZAC CURTAIN

Batting: 196 runs at average of 49, strike rate 77.47, Best: 117 off 139 balls against ACT

THOMAS MURRELL

Batting: 121 runs at average of 40.33, strike rate 82.88, Best: 63 not out off 68 balls against Vic Country

Gale says: “He’s probably found his spot in the batting order, later on in the innings when he knows what the scoreboard demands of him.

“He’s been quite impressive, With the workload of a keeper-batter, it’s a tough gig out here (in the heat) and he’s managed to step up to it.”