Jarrod Freeman has played a team-first role during the all-rounder’s long-awaited World Cup debut on Friday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The George Town 17-year-old’s busy performance in Australia’s emphatic 311-run victory over minnows Papua New Guinea has sounded out his name to selectors.
Freeman felt he could now build further on the cup experience in Christchurch.
“Just really good hit out for me and the boys,” Freeman said after the second biggest run-margin win ever in an under-19 international.
“It was also good to get a big win like that going into the quarter-finals and getting some momentum.
“Hopefully I’ll get another game, but if not it was good to have one under the belt and say that I can really play in this World Cup.”
Freeman belted a quickfire 11 from six balls in a cameo down the order at No.8 to aid Australia amassing 8-370 after opener Nathan McSweeney notched up 156 at the Lincoln Green wicket.
The Mowbray offspinner was near unplayable, bowling nine overs, five maidens to finish with 0 for 11 – that included a tidy 50 dot balls.
“I was obviously honoured to represent my country at any level,” Freeman said.
“So to be able to be about there having a bat to start off and to obviously to get a few overs with the ball as well, it was just a pretty good day.”
But Australian teammate Jason Ralston overshadowed the debutant with the ball.
Freeman’s pressure at one end assisted seam bowler Ralston snare 7-15 off 6.5 overs – the best-ever figures at an under-19 World Cup.
Australia routed PNG for a paltry 59, having reduced the top-order to 6-21.
Freeman, who is the sole Tasmanian in the World Cup squad, replaced South Australian legspinner Lloyd Pope after he had earlier bowled 0-22 off three overs against India and 2-31 off 7.2 overs against Zimbabwe.
“I thought they came out pretty well, actually,” he said.
“They were coming out as good as ever, I think.
“To bowl in a bit of a partnership with Zac Evans and Jason Ralston right at the end went really well.”
Australia is set to take on England during next week’s knockout phase.