U19 World Cup 2022: CA announces Australia's squad, Cooper Connolly to make second successive appearance

Cricket Australia, on Tuesday (December 14), announced Australia’s Under-19 squad for the 2022 U-19 World Cup, which gets underway in January next year. Having won the title last in 2010, the Boys in Yellow would like to end their side’s drought in the global competition. Notably, Western Australia’s Cooper Connolly, who featured in the 2020 edition, has also been selected in the 15-man squad.

The 18-year-old Connolly is contracted with Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League (BBL) and expectations are sky high from him. Jack Nisbett, Nivethan Radhakrishnan and Jackson Sinfield are the other players in the squad with state rookie contracts or experience within domestic cricket. Radhakrishnan, who is an all-rounder, was a net bowler for Delhi Capitals during IPL 2021.

Meanwhile, the squad was finalised following trial matches at a training camp in Adelaide. Owing to the border restrictions, all of the initial 37 players were not able to attend the camp. Owing to the COVID-19 outbreak, the past couple of years have seen less junior-level cricket played. Acknowledging the same, Cricket Australia’s Head of National Development Graham Manou said the selection was significantly harder.

Our squad includes players of all disciplines with experience in domestic cricket: Graham Manou

“From a talent ID perspective, we’ve had access to world-leading technology that has allowed broader and more in-depth conversations between the coaches and players. Inevitably, there were difficult selection decisions, but we will continue to support and monitor the development of all players in our pathway systems,” Manou was quoted as saying by Cricket.com.au.

“Our squad includes players of all disciplines with experience in domestic cricket environments, and many have produced eye-catching performances across a variety of strong competitions this season. The Under-19 World Cup provides players with an exceptional development opportunity and we look forward to seeing them represent their country with distinction,” he added.

Australia U19 World Cup squad: Harkirat Bajwa (VIC), Aidan Cahill (NSW), Cooper Connolly (WA), Joshua Garner (VIC), Isaac Higgins (SA), Campbell Kellaway (VIC), Corey Miller (NSW), Jack Nisbet (NSW), Nivethan Radhakrishnan (TAS), William Salzmann (NSW), Lachlan Shaw (NSW), Jackson Sinfield (QLD), Tobias Snell (QLD), Tom Whitney (QLD), Teague Wyllie (WA)