Punjaborigin teen to lead Australia in U19 World Cup
For Silvia and Kuldeep Sangha, it was like a festival as friends and relatives thronged their house in New Castle to congratulate them after their 18-year-old son, Jason Jaskirat Singh Sangha, was named the captain of the Australia U -19 team for the ICC Youth World Cup to be held in New Zealand next month.
When Jason walks out to the captain’ s parade at the start of the World Cup, he will be the first cricketer of an Indian-origin to lead the Australia team. The Australian teenager, who figured in the Cricket Australia-XI, became the youngest cricketer since Sa chin Tendulk ar to score a firstclass century against England at 18 years and 71 days.
Jason’s father, who hails from Bat hinda in Punjab, was a statelevel athlete. He moved to Australia in the 1980 sand now owns four Indian restaurants by the name of “Raj’s Corner” in New Castle.
“It is an honour to lead the country. It’s something I had dream tab out. Hopefully, we will fare well in New Zealand,” said Jason.
Another cricketer of the Punjab-origin to make it to the Australia U-19 team is Param Uppal, 18. The classy right-handed batsman scored 370 runs at this year’s under-19 championships at an impressive average of over 60. Uppal also bowls right-arm off-spin.
SANGA, WHOSE FAMILY MIGRATED TO AUSTRALIA FROM BATHINDA IN THE 80S, IS THE FIRST INDIANORIGIN CRICKETER TO CAPTAIN AUSTRALIA