The Ponting XII features the best under-17 talent in Australia and will tackle the the Gilchrist XII in Tuesday's BBL curtain-raiser at the SCG.
All you need to know about the Ponting XII
Jack Edwards
Age: 16 | Skill: RHB, RAM | State: NSW | Club: Manly Warringah
U19 Champs | Runs: 301 | Av: 37.63 | SR: 92.3 | 100s: 1 | 50s: 1
U17 Champs | Runs: 248 | Av: 31 | SR: 79.5 | 100s: 1 | Wickets: 9 | Av: 12.9 | Econ: 2.8
New South Wales batting allrounder Jack Edwards received a big wrap from CA XI assistant coach Chris Rogers at the Under-19 National Championships and looks well-suited to the T20 format. A strong right-handed opener, Edwards likes to take the game on and hit over the top, making him a dangerous proposition at the top of the order.
Angus Lovell
Age: 17 | Skill: RHB | State: QLD | Club: Sunshine Coast
U19 Champs | Runs: 248 | Av: 35.43 | SR: 54.1 | 50s: 2
U17 Champs | Runs: 489 | Av: 69.86 | SR: 80.4 | 100s: 2 | 50s: 3
The leading run-scorer at this year’s Under-17 National Championships, Lovell has shown he can make significant contributions against the very best - passing 50 five times (and 100 twice) during the under-17s, and another two times at the Under-19 National Championships. A right-hander with the ability to shift gears, Lovell presents an imposing figure at the crease who can score off the front and back foot.
Jason Sangha
Age: 17 | Skill: RHB, RALS | State: NSW | Club: Newcastle
U19 Champs | Runs: 290 | Av: 48.33 | SR: 82.4 | 50s: 2
U17 Champs | Runs: 255 | Av: 36.43 | SR: 86.7 | 100s: 1 | 50s: 1 | Wickets: 11 | Av: 14.2 | Econ: 4.1
NSW Blues and Sydney Thunder rookie Jason Sangha is one of the most exciting batting talents coming through the Pathway, and has already played in the Matador BBQs Cup with the CA XI. Capable of scoring all around the ground, the right-handed Sangha is a proven performer on the big stage, with an international under-19s ton to his name. Has also developed into a handy part-time spin option, which could be useful at the SCG.
Cameron Green
Age: 17 | Skill: RHB, RAF | State: WA | Club: Subiaco Floreat
U19 Champs | Wickets: 20 | Av: 11.4 | Econ: 4.3 | Runs: 164 | Av: 82 | SR: 98.2 | 50s: 1
Player of the Final at the Under 19 National Championships, Green is the prototype T20 player - a fast bowler who can clear the fence, not unlike former England star Andrew Flintoff. The Western Warriors rookie claimed 20 wickets during the under-19 championships, including four in the final, and his innings of 51 off just 23 balls to win the tournament against ACT/NSW Country showed the power he possesses.
Austin Waugh
Age: 17 | Skill: RHB, RAM | State: NSW | Club: Sutherland
U19 Champs | Runs: 228 | Av: 38 | SR: 78.6 | 50s: 2
U17 Champs | Runs: 372 | Av: 74.4 | SR: 78.5 | 100s: 1 | 50s: 1
Pathways Manager Graham Manou has labelled the similarities between Austin and his father - former Test captain Steve - as “scary”, and the young NSW batsman looks a real player in the making. Waugh, a right-handed, middle-order batsman, scored an unbeaten century in the Under 17 National Championships final, and is a busy, aggressive batsman who takes the game on and scores quickly when he gets up and running.
Image Id: FBE79F9239D942CCAFE865868D4086E9
Will Sutherland
Age: 17 | Skill: RHB, RAF | State: VIC | Club: Prahran
U19 Champs | Runs: 257 | Av: 51.4 | SR: 101.2 | 50s: 2 | Wickets: 10 | Av: 16.3 | Econ: 3.9
U17 Champs | Runs: 265 | Av: 53 | SR: 79.1 | 50s: 2 | Wickets: 6 | Av: 25.5 | Econ: 3.7
Over the past two months, Ponting XII captain Will Sutherland has stepped forward as a name to look out for. A right-handed allrounder in the Mitch Marsh mould, Sutherland has more than held his own at both the Under-17 and Under-19 National Championships, averaging more than 50 with the bat across both tournaments. As captain of the CA XI at the under-19 championships, Sutherland produced arguably the best all-round performance, smashing 95 off 73 balls and picking up 5-27 against Queensland.
Harrison Wood
Age: 17 | Skill: RHB | State: QLD | Club: Ipswich-Logan
U19 Champs | Runs: 364 | Av: 45.5 | SR: 77.4 | 50s: 3
A classy batsman from Queensland, Harrison Wood was among the leading run-scorers at the Under-19 National Championships, finishing with 364 runs in eight innings. A strong player off the front and back foot, Wood’s driving through the off-side and ability to advance down the wicket to spinners brought him plenty of runs at the carnival.
Jarrod Freeman
Age: 16 | Skill: RHB, RAOS | State: TAS | Club: Mowbray
U19 Champs | Wickets: 4 | Av: 50.5 | Econ: 4.2
U17 Champs | Runs: 300 | Av: 43.29 | SR: 79.7 | 50s: 2 | Wickets: 9 | Av: 33.1 | Econ: 4.1
It’s fitting that there’s a Mowbray CC product in the Ponting XII, given that’s the home of the great Ricky Ponting - and off-spinning allrounder Jarrod Freeman is certainly an exciting talent in his own right. An economical bowler that has proved tough to get away, Freeman also has the ability to contribute quick runs with the bat, and has shown some flashes of brilliance in the field.
Patrick Rowe (wk)
Age: 15 | Skill: RHB, WK | State: VIC | Club: Melbourne
U19 Champs | Runs: 111 | Av: 27.75 | SR: 66.1
U17 Champs | Runs: 327 | Av: 40.88 | SR: 69.7 | 50s: 4
The youngest player involved in the Pathways BBL Curtain Raiser, 15-year-old keeper-batsman Patrick Rowe looks to have a bright future in the game. Was one of the leading run-scorers at the Under 17 National Championships, passing 50 on four occasions, and showed his ability to compete with players up to four years his senior at the under-19 championships earlier this month.
Lloyd Pope
Age: 17 | Skill: RALS, RHB | State: SA | Club: Kensington
U19 Champs | Wickets: 21 | Av: 16.33 | Econ: 5.15
U17 Champs | Wickets: 18 | Av: 14.67 | Econ: 3.47
South Australian leg-spinner Lloyd Pope has made his mark as one of the most exciting prospects in the country, as the leading wicket-taker at both this year’s Under-17 and Under-19 National Championships. With a big bag of tricks, Pope has claimed 39 wickets across both carnivals, proving his match-winning abilities - and attracting the attention of the King of Spin, Shane Warne.
Zak Evans
Age: 16 | Skill: RAF, RHB | State: VIC | Club: Ringwood
U19 Champs | Wickets: 5 | Av: 49.20 | Econ: 4.70
U17 Champs | Wickets: 10 | Av: 22.50 | Econ: 5.08
Victorian fast bowler Zak Evans is one of the Ponting XII’s strike weapons, as a bowler who can generate real pace. Capable of swinging the ball both ways, Evans was at his destructive best during the Under-17 National Championships, honing in at the stumps to trouble the competition’s best batsmen.
Image Id: 88DD7CDC79EF4D9988C2FA05332E74E4
Mitchell Perry
Age: 16 | Skill: RAF, LHB | State: VIC | Club: Monash Tigers
U19 Champs | Wickets: 10 | Av: 17.30 | Econ: 3.79
U17 Champs | Wickets: 5 | Av: 23 | Econ: 2.67
Perhaps one of the ‘quiet achievers’ during the Under-17 and Under-19 National Championships, Victorian quick Mitch Perry has emerged as a probing and economical seam option who bowls a consistent line and length. He impressed at the Under 19 National Championships, picking up 10 wickets at an average of just 17.30 as a 16-year-old, and also picked up eight wickets in his Premier 1st XI debut for Monash Tigers earlier this summer.
International cricket is more affordable than ever this summer, with adult tickets from $30, kids from $10 and family packages from $65 across every day of international cricket. Price for purchase at match. Transaction fee from $6.95 applies to online and other purchases. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.