Waugh earns spot in Australia U16 squad

The past week saw Australia's best state schoolboy talent compete in the School Sports Australia under-15 tournament, culminating in the best of the best selected to play for Australia this summer.

The players were selected to the Australia under-16 team on the back of eye-catching performances in the week-long state championships played in Darwin.

Eventual tournament winners New South Wales provided six members of the elite squad including Austin Waugh, son of former Test captain Stephen, who dazzled selectors with a spell of 4-8 earlier in the week.

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The victorious NSW U15 team // NT Cricket

Former Victorian pace bowler and Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland's son Will was also selected in the squad, proving handy with both bat and ball.

The under 15 championships were the first of its kind to be played under the new partnership of Cricket Australia and School Sports Australia.

The squad will be the first national team to play in the state-based under 17 National Championships in its 37-year history.

Cricket Australia National Talent Manager Greg Chappell, who spent the week in Darwin for the titles, said the future talent of Australian cricket was all positive.

"We saw a wide range of talent and skills on display and there will be opportunities in the future for many of the players at the titles," said Chappell.

"The squad of players that will play in the National under-17 titles later in the year will now have the chance to stretch and extend themselves against some more experienced opposition but we expect them to be quite competitive.

"This is an important stage in the development of players in this age bracket as they physically mature and learn more about their own game."

The team will also play against international opposition in Bowral and will be coached by former Test batsman and recent Queensland Bulls coach Stuart Law.

Young guns with big futures

Bailey Dickinson (NSW) The captain of the winning New South Wales squad was rewarded with selection in the Australian under-16 team, again named as leader, on the back of 146 runs at 36.5.

Dickinson plays for the Bankstown District Cricket Club, the same grade cricket side as Australian legends Steve and Mark Waugh, and had a breakout season in Sydney's competition amassing 435 runs. 

The right-handed batsman played with finesse and patience, shown by his strike rate of 55 and was pivotal in the middle order for NSW.

Austin Waugh (NSW) Whenever the Waughs touch cricket, it turns to gold and the latest addition to the scene seems no different.

Despite not having an overly successful tournament statistically with just 47 runs and seven wickets, his average was 8.9 and showed enough during his devastating spell of 4-8 to earn a call up to the national team.

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Waugh is presented with his NSW U15 cap by his father Steve in Darwin // cricket.com.au

Jason Sangha (NSW) Pressed his claim on the best batsman of the tournament, scored less than 30 once and overall had a carnival to remember compiling 167 runs at a tidy 41.8.

Sangha's 48 (78) in the Grand Final showed class and was a big reason why NSW took the inaugural title from QLD.

Will no doubt be a lock for representative teams batting at the all-important No.3 position.

Thomas Sowden (NSW) A true allrounder, had success with the bat in the talent-full NSW line up with 176 runs at 55.7, no better innings than his 76 off 75 balls against Western Australia that included nine boundaries.

Sowden showed his aptitude with the ball taking 3-7 off eight overs against Queensland thanks largely to his accuracy and consistency.

Will Sutherland (VIC) A tall, lanky presence, much like his father, Sutherland hits the crease hard but it was his batting that earned him selection in the elite team.

Knocks of 33 and 39 in consecutive games showed both sides of his game, at times being ultra conservative and then showcasing his ability to counter-punch.

Has had a taste of first grade cricket in Melbourne's east and is quickly rising through the ranks.

Australia U16 Squad: Bailey Dickinson (c, NSW), Aiden Bariol (NSW), Jason Sangha (NSW), Thomas Sowden (NSW), Austin Waugh (NSW), Joel Foster (NSW), Nathan Murphy (Vic), Will Sutherland (Vic), Zac Evans (Vic), Dean Elliott (Qld), Blake Edwards (Qld), Jarrod Freeman (Tas), Hamish McKenzie (WA). Standby: Fraser Ellis (Vic), Connor Thorn (WA), Bailey Capel (SA), Jack Edwards (NSW).