Waugh amongst future stars in U16 series

The rapid rise of Austin Waugh, son of former captain Steve, looks set to continue as Australia take on Pakistan in the Under 16 International Series this week.

Played over the next week in Bowral and Wollongong, outside Sydney, Waugh will look to cement his tag as one of the up-and-coming junior talents Australia has on show.

Coming off success in the recent Under 17 National Championship in Brisbane where he accumulated 193 runs at a more-than-handy 48.3, Waugh will look for much the same against an opposition his father compiled 1,937 international runs against across Tests and ODIs.

Father Steve has lauded the pathway and believes it is a great way to identify and nurture juniors early who may go on to represent Australia at the elite level.

"It is a great concept, the guys playing against older kids away from home under different conditions," Waugh told the Courier Mail.

"If you are a good player these days someone will notice you."

Cricket Australia’s National Talent Manager Greg Chappell says the pathway has never been greater for Australia's junior cricketers, highlighted by the chance to play against international opposition.

"Juniors around the country now have a chance to represent their state and their country in a number of different competitions across Australia," Chappell said.

"As part of the Australian Cricket Pathway, some of these kids have played in the School Sports competition, proved themselves against older opposition in the Under 17s competition and now have a chance to play on the international stage in Bowral."

Bowral and Wollongong will play host to the three-one-day and three-Twenty20 match series and will be the final testing grounds for many participants as part of a revamped Australian Cricket Pathway that has seen juniors play in Under 15, 16 and 17 tournaments over the past five months.

Current international players including Australia captain Steve Smith, allrounder Mitchell Marsh and fast-bowlers Josh Hazlewood and James Pattinson played in Youth International Series', with Marsh captaining the successful 2010 Under 19 World Cup side.

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Australia's 2008 Under 19 World Cup side including Smith, Hughes, Stoinis, Hazlewood, Pattinson and Faulkner

Players to watch:

Austin Waugh – The Sutherland junior dazzled selectors with his patience and dash in the recent Under 17 National Championships, despite the added pressure of having a father who sits third on Australia’s all-time run scorers list. An extremely solid middle-order batsman who consistently finds himself not out and can bat with the tail to ensure scores are pushed to the absolute highest point. Also bowls handy medium pace and is extremely sharp in the field.

Jason Sangha – Sangha is touted as Australia’s best junior coming through the ranks and there is plenty of weight behind that theory. The Newcastle junior was the only person to advance from the Under 15 School Sports Australia tournament in June through to the upcoming Under 19 National Championships in Adelaide. In December he will have played four Australian underage tournaments in 2015 and with some strong performances could see himself picked in the Under 19 World Cup in January. Has poise at the crease and is a readymade number three batsman. Also has experience in English conditions, which will have him held in high regard with youth selectors.

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Sangha will play for the Cricket Australia XI in the Under 19 National Championships // Brody Grogan

Bailey Dickinson – Dickinson could easily transition into playing prop for his hometown Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, with a stocky frame and height to match. The captain of both the U16 side and the recent inaugural Cricket Australia XI, Dickinson possesses leadership skills beyond his years. Is a force at the crease highlighted by his knock of 148 against cricketers two-years older than him.