Garner waits in wings for his World Cup opportunity
GEELONG quick Josh Garner remains on the cusp of his international debut at the under-19 World Cup as he waits for a callup to Australia’s starting XI.
Garner was overlooked for Australia’s opening match against the West Indies over the weekend but is hopeful he will receive a call-up during the tournament.
Australia has games against
Sri Lanka and Scotland this week to complete the group stage before the finals.
Garner said it had been a “massive honour” to make the final squad of 15.
“Obviously it’s not at the men’s level, but we’re still playing for our country,” he said.
“It’s been a massive honour and to get over here and have my first experience of a cricket tour overseas, it’s been an awesome experience as well.”
Garner emerged as one of the country’s brightest talents last season and also impressed at state second XI in November.
The Colac product said he would not have expected to be competing against the best young cricketers in the world 12 months ago.
“I said a while ago when I got picked, I probably have to thank a few people at Geelong Cricket Club,” he said.
“If I didn’t get picked early last cricket season to play first grade, I think it would have been a much slower process.”
Garner said there had been no indications on when he would play.
“If I do, then I guess it’s going to be bowling with the new ball trying to take wickets, just like we do at home, but I think the role through the middle overs will be fairly different to home,” he said. “Obviously spin’s going to be a pretty big wicket-taking option, so I guess just building pressure, hitting the top of the stumps more often than not.
“It’s one of those things that my family and Mum and Dad can be very proud of as well because they’ve obviously put in just as much hard work and time as I have to get here.
“While I’m here, I’m pretty focused on what we’re doing but I think in the next year or so, I’ll be able to look back on this as a pretty proud moment.”