Photo Credit: Cricket NSW
The six New South Wales Pathway players, and Head Coach Anthony Clark, returned to Cricket Central last week with the ICC U19 World Cup trophy and individual medals in tow, following their triumphant trip to South Africa.
Charlie Anderson, Ryan Hicks, Sam Konstas, Rafael MacMillan, Tom Straker and Harjas Singh, led by Clark, secured the U19 World Cup with a final victory over India, emulating the 2010 side captained by Mitch Marsh and including fellow Blues Josh Hazelwood and Adam Zampa.
Throughout the unbeaten run to the title, the six players produced several match-winning performances, including Straker’s 6-24 against Pakistan, a best effort in U19 Cricket World Cup finals history.
Fast bowler Tom Straker said:
“Winning the World Cup, nothing’s topped that in my cricketing career to date.
“All us NSW boys have known each other for the last four or five years, some even longer, which makes the experience even more special.
“Our relationships go beyond the cricket field, I trust them as friends so it was really good to win the tournament alongside them.”
Five of the players will now gain valuable long-format red-ball experience in a three-day encounter versus Victoria at the Junction Oval in Melbourne.
Konstas, who struck 26 & 35 in his second Sheffield Shield match versus Victoria last week, having made his First-Class debut in November, misses the trip.
Clark, assisted by David Freedman, Alex Kemp and physiotherapist Ryan Farrell, who was also part of the backroom staff in South Africa, takes charge of the U19 side in a first fixture of its kind for NSW.
Australia U19 World Cup Head Coach Anthony Clark said:
“The players will cherish their experience in South Africa for the rest of their lives.”
“We’re fortunate to have strong club cricket links below our pathways here in NSW, alongside the quality support staff the boys get access to.
“It’s been a big year for the lads, from going over to England and leading into our Nationals where the guys played well down in Albury.
“As a group they get on so well together and it’s nice to see them get rewards and build those close friendships.”
Five of our World Cup winning six will form part of a 12-player U19 NSW squad, set to face Victoria in a red ball fixture at Junction Oval beginning tomorrow, February 27.
This match is a first for Cricket NSW, and another example of our desire to provide opportunities for our Pathway programs.
U19 Male NSW Squad to Face Victoria at Junction Oval from February 27-29
Bailey Abela
Charlie Anderson
Luke Callanan
Cameron Frendo
Ryan Hicks
Trystan Kennedy
Rafael MacMillan (c)
Jake Scott
Addison Sherriff
Harjas Singh
Tom Straker
Cameron Tunks
