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The very possibility that Australia may have unearthed another Ricky Ponting will send shivers down the spine of cricket fans across the country, but that’s the word out of Western Australia.
Teague Wyllie, 18, plundered his first Sheffield Shield century on Tuesday.
In doing so, he became the youngest player to score a Shield ton since Ponting himself in 1992-93.
Last summer Wyllie was part of a winning Shield team and earlier he was named in the ICC’s team of the tournament following the under 19 World Cup. He was the only Aussie who achieved this.
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There have been just 10 players younger than Wyllie to have made first-class centuries in the history of Australian men’s cricket, placing the West Aussie in esteemed company. They include Greg Chappell, Neil Harvey, Keith Miller, Doug Walters, Archie Jackson and of course Ponting.
(Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)
Wyllie’s 104 included 15 boundaries and allowed WA to reach 258, a lead of 78 against NSW. What made his knock even more impressive is it came against a bowling attack led by Nathan Lyon.
If you want to feel really ancient, Wyllie was just seven months old the last time the Aussies won a Test series in India, back in 2004.
As a 14-year-old in 2018, he was part of a viral video that has nearly a million views after facing a bowling machine at 161km/h – or 100mp/h.
“He (Wyllie) is quite a big guy, he’s got a physical presence when he’s at the crease,” Adam Voges said to Code Sports recently.
“But technically he’s really solid. He’s been an opening batter pretty much all of his career, so technically he’s sound.
“I think it’s just his genuine desire to want to bat and bat for long periods of time. In today’s game, that’s not something you (see) all the time but that’s something he’s got that in spades.”
Australian captain Aaron Finch has poured cold water on Cameron Green being part of his XI for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Green needs one of the 15 previously selected players to withdraw due to injury, but Finch said it would be unlikely the precociously talented all-rounder would fit into the XI anyway.
Both of Australia’s primary all-rounders are not fully fit. Mitchell Marsh will bat at three in the World Cup but an ankle complaint means he is not yet ready to bowl, while Marcus Stoinis is out with a side strain.
Stoinis’ injury has allowed the Aussies to keep Green with the squad for the upcoming two-match series against the West Indies, but that could be it, according to Finch.
“I’m not sure at the moment – I don’t think so,” Finch told reporters when quizzed on the potential to include Green in the team. “It’s just one of those things – he had a really good tour of India, it was good for him to get an opportunity to open the batting so he’ll get more opportunities.
(Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)
“He’ll get an opportunity at some point in this series. The reason we’ve carried him is to have an extra bowling resource as well.
“Obviously his batting is exceptional, and he shows a lot with the ball. He keeps developing and he keeps improving every time he gets an opportunity.”
Australia vs West Indies
Wednesday Oct 5: Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast, 6:10pm
Friday Oct 7: The Gabba, Brisbane, 6:10pm
As expected, Tim Paine is in line to play his first first-class cricket match in 18 months after Tasmania named him in its 13-man Shield squad to face Queensland later this week.
The writing was on the wall when he took the gloves for the University of Tasmania on Sunday ahead of state regular Jake Doran, who played as a specialist batter.
Paine, who made an unbeaten 20 in an easy win, is not contracted but told the state’s coaching staff in the winter he was keen to play.
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
“Was nice to blow off some cobwebs,” the 37-year-old told reporters at Hobart airport. “Been training for five or six weeks. Ready to go. Excited, a bit nervous, but looking forward to it.”
Coach Jeff Vaughan said he had “absolute faith and trust” in Paine’s abilities behind the stumps.
“He has been training with us the last couple of months,” Vaughan said on Tuesday. “And it wasn’t until we selected over the last week or two, firstly his name was on the table for one-day cricket and then he was on the table last week when we selected (the Shield). And it was quite unanimous that everyone wanted one of the world’s best wicket keepers into our side.
“We have absolute faith and trust in Tim and his preparation. Physically he is probably in the greatest spot of his physical career, emotionally he is sound.“He has been training really well with us the last two months. We have got full faith in his wicket keeping skills so he has ticked all of the boxes.”
Tasmania squad to face Queensland, beginning Thursday: Jackson Bird, Jake Doran, Jarrod Freeman, Caleb Jewell, Riley Meredith, Ben McDermott, Tim Paine, Sam Rainbird, Peter Siddle, Jordan Silk (c), Charlie Wakim, Tim Ward, Beau Webster
England all-rounder Moeen Ali has reversed his decision to unretire from Test cricket.
Yep, read that again.
He retired, unretired, and has now retired again.
All in the space of four months.
In June he said he was keen to play the longest format again following a conversation with new coach Brendon McCullum. Watching England win six of the seven Tests in the northern summer whet his appetite and he wanted to be part of it, at least for a hot minute.
England’s next Test assignment is in December, but the off-spinner used his column in The Daily Mail to confirm he was officially done from red-ball cricket, once and for all.
“That’s a trip (to Pakistan) I won’t be making sadly,” he wrote. “It’s not something I’m keen on doing any more.
“I’ve had an honest chat with Baz (McCullum) about the tour and I really can’t see myself being stuck in hotels for another month and playing Test cricket to the best of my ability.
“Baz phoned me and we spoke at length and I just said, ‘Nah, sorry, I’m done’ and he understands. He knows the feeling. Yes, I said I was ‘unretired’ in the summer and watching the boys, I got the feeling I properly miss this and that this is how I’ve always wanted to play the game.
“But the more I thought about it and discussed it with those close to me, I knew deep down why I was done. Test cricket is hard work. I don’t think my mindset would be any different even if the restrictions were lifted in Pakistan. I’m 35 now and something’s got to give.”
Ali played 64 Tests for England and said it was “a privilege and dream fulfilled.”He will continue to play in T20 leagues around the world and be available for England in both white ball formats.
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