Cricket Australia names national U16 side for Dubai series

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Updated: February 29, 2016

AFTER New South Wales Green secured the School Sport Australia 15-and-Under National Boys’ Championship, Cricket Australia has announced a 17-man national under-16 squad to take on Pakistan next summer in a one-day series in Dubai.

As part of the newly revamped Cricket Australia Pathway, the under-16 squad will train at the National Cricket Centre before competing in next season’s national under-17 championships and then heading to the UAE

CA National Talent Manager Greg Chappell said: “Selection in this squad and the ensuing tours are just more opportunities for the country’s top-performing youth to experience elite level cricket.”

Captaining the side will be Victoria’s Mackenzie Harvey, nephew of former Australia all-rounder and 2004 Wisden Cricketer of the Year Ian, who compiled 191 runs at an average of 38.2 at 15-and-under series.

It was a bitter-sweet day for Harvey. In the battle for the Ricky Ponting Cup, his Victoria Metropolitan side was unable to match NSW Green in the final of the national series in Brisbane after being bundled out for just 135 in 45.5 overs.

Coming in at first drop, Harvey was out for just five as the Vic Metro was at one stage reeling at 4-33 and 6-47.

Jacob Workman claimed 4-19 and Bradley Simpson 3-22 with the ball for NSW Green, while wicket-keeper and eventual Australian selection claimed the first five catches of the match and equaled the all-time record of 16 dismissals set by WA’s Tom Beaton in 2006 at the 15-and-under titles.

Kyle Novacek (31) and Triyan De Silva (24) tried to add some respectability to the scoreboard for Vic Metro late.

However, NSW Green reeling in its target with ease, with six wickets and 17 overs to spare, Eva also making 40 with the bat, opening the innings with William Fort (40), while Oliver Davies (45 not out) saw his side home and also cemented his spot in the national team.

It was NSW’s third straight title in seventh in 10 years.

NSW batsman Liam Scott topped the runs tally list with 275 at an average of 55, from Davies (247 at 82.33) and Queensland’s Connor McFadyan (239 at 47.80).

NSW bowler Nicholas Hall claimed the most scalps with 15 at 10.33 apiece, ahead of teammates Workman (11 at 9.09) and Tyson Lee (11 at 11.27).

AUSTRALIA UNDER-16 SQUAD: Liam Scott (NSW), Oliver Davies (NSW), Lawson Eva (NSW), Liam Marshall (NSW), Tyson Lee (NSW), Mackenzie Harvey (VIC, c), Zane Keighran (VIC), Connor Smith (WA), Jordan Clark (WA), Damien Burrage (WA), Connor McFadyen (QLD), Connor Sully (QLD), Joshua Hoffman (SA), Angus Judd (SA)*, James Curran (TAS)*, Bailen Clarke (VIC)*, Matthew Watt (VIC)*

Source: Cricket Australia