‘Stupidly talented’ U19 side set to become backbone of Australian cricket

Sam Konstas ignited many forums when he took down Jasprit Bumrah at the MCG, and his mates from the World Cup-winning Australian under-19 team were no exception.

Konstas is one of the “unbelievably special” players from the side who could become the backbone of Australia’s future.

Mahli Beardman is in the Aussie T20 squad and Ollie Peake and Harry Dixon toured India on an A tour.

Hugh Weibgen opened his domestic summer with a List A century after punishing England front-liner Gus Atkinson in a match last winter.

Callum Vidler is touted as a future Australian quick and Harjas Singh blitzed a six-laden triple century in Sydney Grade Cricket last month.

Beardman says the team that defeated India in the final found a perfect balance of tantalising talent and compelling chemistry.

“I think it’s just an incredible team, it was an unbelievably talented and stacked side,” he said.

“It was quite rare; we had a unique chemistry where everyone got along extremely well, which I haven’t really seen from a team point of view before.

“It was just lucky that we happened to get along amazingly well, enjoyed playing cricket together and on top of that it was just a stupidly talented group.

“Peakey is doing amazing things, Sam has been killing it on the international stage, Hugh Weibgen doing his thing in state cricket.

“Even Harjas Singh in grade cricket hitting 300 and whatever he did the other day.”

A few messages were sent around again when Peake steered Victoria to victory over South Australia with an unbeaten half-century earlier this season.

Peake was parachuted into the Australian squad mid-tournament as a bottom-age player, but he quickly felt the “massive belief” from each teammate.

“I think from that World Cup team a few years ago, everyone is pretty close. When guys are doing well, everyone sort of sends messages to each other,” Peake said.

“For Hugh Weibgen … to get his first hundred was awesome to see but not a surprise to any of us.

“We all support each other and back each other in and have massive belief in each other.”

Peake carried the drinks the morning Konstas was slaying Bumrah and remembered the shocked look on Usman Khawaja’s face at the other end.

The teenager says there is some inspiration in how quickly Konstas rose to Test level but, for now, is still in awe of life as a professional cricketer.

“I think a lot of us are pretty invested in our states and trying to win games for our states,” he said.

“Sam was a good example of doing really well early in the year and finding his chance through that.

“For me, for the time being, I’m just trying to purely focus on Vic cricket and trying to get wins and enjoy it as well.

“I was driving here this morning and thinking to myself, pinching myself, ‘This is so cool, I’ve got mates at uni and stuff I grew up with’.

“For me to be driving to cricket at 9 o’clock in the morning as my job is just so cool.”

There’s been just one member of the 2024 class to reach senior international level but, as Beardman says, that will change.

“I think we will just continue to see more of that from all of the boys and that group,” he said.

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