Western Australian batter Teague Wyllie opens up on tough run of form ahead of National Championships
Prime teenage batsman Teague Wyllie has adjusted to the lean Sheffield Shield form he’s endured since the start of this summer with a breakout century and has revealed the aspects of his batting he’s still “figuring out”.
He could be the most exciting western prospect since Cam Green – now Wyllie is looking to emulate the wide-ranging Test all-rounder and bring the U19 national title back to his home state.
And the 19-year-old is licking his lips at the prospect of bat-friendly Adelaide wickets when he takes over in Western Australia’s tournament, which begins today.
Wyllie has been on a meager run since bursting onto the scene with a first hundred against New South Wales and now he’s looking to use his last underage tournament to regain that form.
“We’ve played on some very difficult wickets at Sheffield Shield and even club cricket but all the rumor has it Adelaide’s wickets are quite conducive to getting a lot of runs so I’m looking forward to playing on some wickets like that the batsman could benefit,” he said.
“From my perspective, when you’re playing on wickets that are conducive to fast bowling or seam bowling, part of your technique that’s flawed is exposed in conditions where it’s a little bit difficult.
“I’m trying to tinker – I used to get very far over my stumps so I was exposed to the ball being straight so for me I was just trying to figure that out.
“I’m still trying to figure out what my hands are doing, I’m a very soulful hitter so I’m really happy when my hands clicked. I’m still trying to figure that out.
“I think I’m lucky that I’m relying on my mental toughness and mental capacity to try and put all that stuff behind me when I’m in the middle and just trying to get some runs.”
Wyllie will be the captain in an all-star top order when the WA tournament begins against New South Wales Country and said two years without traveling to the national tournament has only made the group stronger.
WA haven’t sent a team to the tournament since 2019, while the last time they won the carnival was in 2016 – a team managed by Aaron Hardie, which also included Test Team Green and fast Lance Morris.
“If there wasn’t going to be an impact on the Shield season or anything like that, it was always on my mind to come and play the national championships… to be able to play it with your friends and experience it like everyone else, it’s one Opportunity I’d like to grab with both hands,” he said.
“You’re only young once at the end of the day so I’m really looking forward to playing a league with some guys who I’ve been playing cricket with for the past six or seven years.”
WA will be without Fremantle batter Douwtjie Hoogenboezem, who became the heartbreak of the tournament when he broke his hand just days after the first game, but they can boast talented all-rounder Corey Wasley and impressive young paceman Mahli Beardman .
They meet NSW Country, Victoria Country on Thursday and then have a rest day before meeting ACT in the final group game on Sunday.
Western Australia Under-19 Championship Match
Thursday 15 December v NSW Country (Park 25, 7:00am)
Friday 16 December v Victoria Country (Karen Rolton Oval, (7.00am)
Sunday 18 December – Australian Capital Territory (Prince Alfred College, 7.00am)
Western Australia U19 squad
Teague Wyllie (c) (Rockingham-Mandurah), Mahli Beardman (Melville), Jye Donald (Rockingham-Mandurah), Regan Hill (Perth), Luke Holt (Willetton), George Pullinger (Scarborough), Benji Melville (University), Tyler Mouritz (Perth), Kai Orr (Joondalup), Kade Povey (Gosnells), Declan Power (Melville), Aryan Varsani (Wanneroo), Joshua Vernon (Pilbara), Corey Wasley (Rockingham-Mandurah)
