Manuka Oval is the venue for a two-day PM’s XI clash against India featuring some new talent in the Australian side. Photo: File.
In January 1984, a nuggety Tasmanian by the name of David Boon strode with confidence onto the Manuka Oval wicket ready to take on the might of the West Indies fast bowling attack. Who could forget the speed of Michael Holding and Joel Garner?
Boon, all of 23, went on to hit 134 off 136 deliveries. He provided the platform for the PM’s XI to record a 52-run victory.
The knock was enough for selectors to reward him with his test debut later that year against the Windies in Brisbane in the first of his 107 tests.
Boon’s elevation from relative obscurity added credibility to the PM’s XI as a legitimate selection fixture, which wasn’t always the case.
If nothing else, the Boon experience should provide impetus for a host of young players named in the PM’s XI for this weekend’s two-day game against India under lights at Manuka.
The match is being used as vital preparation for the touring Indian team keen to get some exposure to the pink ball under lights ahead of the second test in Adelaide.
India requested the pink ball warm-up game with memories of their last innings in Adelaide four years ago when they were routed for just 36, the team’s lowest total in test cricket history. This is an experience the tourists do not want to duplicate.
This weekend, though, is just as crucial for four players who guided Australia this year to victory in the under-19 World Cup.
Sam Konstas, Mahli Beardman, Charlie Anderson and Aidan O’Connor have received a golden opportunity to showcase whether they are ready to take another step up the ladder in their cricketing careers.
Konstas hit a century against the Windies in the under-19 World Cup, as well as back-to-back hundreds for NSW in the same Shield game against South Australia this year. In so doing, he became the youngest player to achieve this since Ricky Ponting in 1993. He also hit an unbeaten 73 after a first-innings duck playing for Australia A against India A side earlier this month.
With Australia’s top order failing miserably in Perth, there are plenty looking to the next generation. And many young cricketers will be on display in Canberra this Saturday and Sunday.
There are also a few that have been to the top and are working their way back into contention, including Scott Borland and Matt Renshaw. Renshaw was seemingly in the mix for a recall to the Australian lineup last year but hasn’t played a test since 2018.
Canberra Comets fast bowler Hanno Jacobs has an opportunity after being selected in the 14-player squad.
This weekend’s PM’s XI fixture has the potential to be the most intriguing in recent years. Given the uncertain nature of Australia’s current top order, a big score in Canberra could force the selectors’ hands.
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