A string of outstanding performances will see Mowbray cricketer Jarrod Freeman cross the ditch and represent Australia at the under-19 World Cup in New Zealand next month.
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The 17-year-old offspinning all-rounder was named in the preliminary squad leading into his home state’s national age-group championships, but 415 runs at 47.10 and nine wickets at 32.33 would help seal his selection papers on Friday.
“It [under-19 carnival] has been really good from an individual point of view, it was nice to get a few wins early and it was unfortunate to get beat in the quarter finals, but other than that we’ve been pretty happy as a team,” Freeman said.
“My preparation for this carnival couldn’t have been any better, travelling to Sri Lanka in July and getting a taste of futures league a couple of months ago.
“It will be an absolute honour [to wear Australian colours], it’s something I’ve always dreamt of doing at any level and especially at the World Cup – I can’t wait.”
Freeman’s batting has grown out of sight, which he credits to exposure to high-level cricket.
Freeman has received praise from a majority of the selection panel that includes Greg Chappell, Troy Cooley, Graham Manou and Ryan Harris.
The 15-man squad will be captained by New South Wales’ Jason Sangha with the support of Will Sutherland, son of Cricket Australia chief James, and coached by ex-Test players Ryan Harris and Chris Rogers.
“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,” Chappell said.
“We’re fortunate that a lot of these players have already played together coming through the underage pathway, which is a great thing.
“We believe this squad has a serious chance of contending for the title at the end of the tournament.”
Australia is looking to claim its first World Cup since 2010, which was also played in New Zealand and captained by Mitch Marsh.
Australia has been drawn in Pool B with India, Zimbabwe and Papua New Guinea.
A pre-tournament training camp will be held in Brisbane practice matches against Sri Lanka and South Africa in early January.
NAMED SQUAD
Jason Sangha (c), Jack Edwards, Ryan Hadley, Baxter Holt, Jason Ralston, Param Uppal, Austin Waugh (New South Wales), Will Sutherland, Zak Evans Jonathan Merlo (Victoria), Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant, Nathan McSweeney (Queensland) Jarrod Freeman (Tasmania), Lloyd Pope (South Australia).
Corey Martin
Having started at The Examiner as a cadet in 2009, I have held various positions telling the stories of Northern Tasmanians in sport and news. I was appointed deputy editor in 2019 and became editor in September 2021.
Having started at The Examiner as a cadet in 2009, I have held various positions telling the stories of Northern Tasmanians in sport and news. I was appointed deputy editor in 2019 and became editor in September 2021.
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