Target firmly on teen prodigy

AUSTRALIA’S fast bowlers are in awe of Pakistan’s 16year-old debutant-in-waiting, but warn there will be no children’s concession cards handed out at the Gabba.

Mitchell Starc hadn’t even started bowling and was still a wicketkeeper at the same age, while Josh Hazlewood was mucking around with his mates in the park and Pat Cummins playing second grade for Penrith.

Yet schoolkid sensation Naseem Shah is on the verge of becoming the youngest player to ever debut against Australia in the history of Test cricket.

It seems everyone loves a young rookie — even those who are in the opposition — and the admiration is magnified by the fact he had to overcome the loss of his mother while he was in Perth last week a million miles from home.

However, Australia are clear there will be no schoolyard charity being shown at the Gabbatoir, with Starc declaring the kid will be given a bruising welcome to first grade when he comes out to bat.

“As soon as you step over the line, it’s a Test match. I don’t care how old you are,” said Starc.

“It’s Test cricket. I’ll be getting them before they get me.

“We’re there to win games for Australia and likewise he’ll be trying to win games for Pakistan. Whether you are 16 or 45, it’s fair game.”

The previous youngest debutant on Australian soil was home grown Ian Craig back in 1953 as a 17-year-old.

Australian nemesis Harbhajan Singh is the youngest debutant Australia has encountered, also 17, back in 1998. Until now.

“It’s crazy isn’t it?” said Cummins, who can’t imagine it even though he debuted at 18.

Hazlewood is equally stunned: “I was playing cricket with my mates at 16. It’s a bit different to playing a Test.”

Pakistan fast bowling coach and a former teenage debutant himself, Waqar Younis, said his only worry about the kid — who has played just seven firstclass domestic games — being thrown into the furnace was that his body is still growing.

Australian run-making juggernaut Steve Smith pulled no punches in declaring the brutal game plan he has in mind for young right-armer Shah come Thursday.

“Yeah, he’s half my age,” Smith said. “It’ll be interesting. Sixteen is young. I dare say you’d be pretty nervous at 16 playing a Test match, particularly away from home.

“He’s obviously got some skill if they’re picking him. You don’t take anyone lightly.

“For us we’ll be trying to get as many overs into him as possible and trying to wear him down.