Australia announce squad for 2018 Under-19 World Cup
Three-time Under-19 World Cup champions Australia will be led by Jason Sangha in next month's edition in New Zealand. Also in the 15-man squad, are legendary Australian captain Steve Waugh's son, Austin Waugh and all-rounder Will Sutherland. Former Australian pacer Ryan Harris will coach the side with former opener Chris Rogers assisting him.
Austin Waugh is yet to play a senior game but has been a regular in the Under-19 side that also has 18-year-old pacer Xavier Bartlett, opener Max Bryant and Param Uppal, who has already played six List-A games.
In April 2016, when he signed a contract with New South Wales, Sangha became the youngest Australian to be handed a rookie contract. Earlier this year, Sangha, became the youngest Australian to score a first-class century courtesy of his 133 for Cricket Australia XI against England in Townsville.
Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland's son will be the vice-captain of the side after the talented youngster opted for cricket over AFL in July. The 18-year-old has played three List-A games and even picked up a four-fer in his last game for Victoria in the JLT One-Day Cup game against New South Wales.
National Talent Manager Greg Chappell believes that they have a balanced squad. He said: "This is a very exciting squad and there is some exceptional talent within this group. We've got a good spread of skills through the squad. We're quite strong with our pace bowling, we have good depth with our spin bowling, and a number of our top-order batsmen all offer viable bowling options, which gives us a lot of flexibility when it comes to team selection.
"These guys have all had success at underage level in Australia over a number of years, and many of them have already had a taste of international under 19 cricket. We believe this squad has a serious chance of contending for the title at the end of the tournament," he added.
Australia will kickstart their campaign against India on January 14, their opening game in Group B at the Bay Oval in Tauranga. Also in Group B are Zimbabwe and Papua New Guinea as Australia look to claim their first title since 2010 when Mitchell Marsh led a side that had the likes of Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson.
Australia Under 19 World Cup squad: Jason Sangha (C), Will Sutherland (VC), Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant, Jack Edwards, Zak Evans, Jarrod Freeman, Ryan Hadley, Baxter Holt, Nathan McSweeney, Jonathan Merlo, Jason Ralston, Param Uppal, Austin Waugh, Lloyd Pope