Five must-watch stars of the future

Australia captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner are two of many current stars to have come through the Under-17 National Championships.

And there’s plenty of talent on show at this year’s edition, which is currently being played on the Sunshine Coast and in Brisbane.

Four teams are through to the semi-finals - NSW Metro, Queensland, ACT/NSW Country and Western Australia - which will be played on Wednesday, ahead of the final at Allan Border Field.

Here are five of the key performers throughout the tournament so far.

1. Angus Lovell (Queensland)

403 runs @ 67.17, two 100s, two 50s

The Queensland skipper has led from the front all tournament.

An opening batsman from the Sunshine Coast, Lovell has compiled 403 runs from his six innings, scoring two centuries and two half centuries.

A knock of 117 against Western Australia in Round 4 was followed by 103 in Round 5 against Tasmania, with the classy right-handed stroke-maker showing his ability to get through the new ball and then get going off both the front and back foot.

2. Mackenzie Harvey (CA XI)

257 runs @ 64.3, one 100, one 50

Mackenzie Harvey represented Victoria Metro last year as a bottom-age player, and this year the 16-year-old has taken on the captaincy of the CA XI.

A top-order left-handed batsman, Harvey has shown that once he gets in he’s extremely hard to get out.

An unbeaten 124 against South Australia in Round 5 is Harvey’s highest score of the tournament, with his ability to play spin a highlight.

3. Zak Evans (Victoria Metro)

Eight wickets @ 17.38, best figures of 4-35

One of the quickest bowlers at the Under-17 National Championships, Evans has played an important role with the new ball for Victoria Metro.

A product of last year’s CA XI side, the Victorian’s best figures of 4-35 came against South Australia.

A right-arm fast bowler, Evans' ability to bowl at pace and move the ball has been a highlight.

4. Jason Sangha (ACT/NSW Country)

254 runs @ 50.8, eight wickets @ 13.5

Newcastle product Jason Sangha burst onto the scene last year with some brilliant performances at the Under-17 and Under-19 National Championships.

A right-handed batsman with all the shots, the NSW Blues and Sydney Thunder rookie has been the ACT/NSW Country skipper at this tournament.

His best performance so far has been a century against South Australia in a rain-affected quarter-final, and while Sangha is averaging just over 50 with the bat, he has also contributed with the ball - claiming eight wickets with his leg-spin. 

5. Lloyd Pope (SA)

12 wickets @ 19.1, 62 runs @ N/A

South Australia’s Lloyd Pope is the tournament’s leading wicket-taker after the quarter-final stage of the Under-17 National Championships - and for good reason.

The right-arm leg-spinner has had a real impact, collecting 12 wickets in six matches, including a haul for 5-43 to bring his side back into the contest against Victoria Metro in Round 3.

With good control and variation, Pope has been able to weave his magic on some of the tournament’s best batsmen, claiming multiple wickets in four of his six matches.