Who is Tom Straker? Everything you need to know about Australia’s U-19 WC star

Tom Straker. (Photo Source: ICC)

Australia Under-19 side came out all guns blazing in the ongoing second semi-final of the ongoing ICC U19 Cricket World Cup. The crucial knockout encounter is being played at Willowmore Park in Benoni, against Pakistan. The bowling attack was spearheaded by the fiery pace bowler, Tom Straker.

Notably, the youngster dismantled Pakistan with a remarkable spell of 6/24 runs in his 9.5 overs. As a result, this led Australia to skittle Pakistan for just 179 in 48.5 overs. This meant that the fiery pacer left no stone unturned to etch his name in the history books of the global marquee event.

Third-best bowling performance in knockout of U19 World Cup History

Courtesy of his sensational bowling against Pakistan, Australia’s Tom Straker became the third-most successful bowler in the tournament’s knockout history. The record for the best bowling effort in a U19 World Cup knockout match dates back to 2018, when Australian leg-spinner Lloyd Pope stepped up and sent England in dizzy with a spell of 8/35 against England in the quarterfinal, dismantling key batters like Tom Banton, Harry Brook, and Will Jacks.

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Tom Straker was on song with his lengths and never really allowed Pakistan to get off the hook. His figures of 6/24 were the best ever by a bowler in a U19 World Cup semifinal. Two players have taken a five-wicket haul in the final; in 2006, Pakistan’s Anwar Ali shocked India and it was then followed by India’s Raj Angad Bawa in 2022.

Earlier in the competition, Straker tormented Namibia as well as he picked up a 3-wicket haul to fold Namibia for 91 on a pitch that was extremely conducive for seam bowling.

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During the mid-innings break, Tom Straker reflected on his performance and revealed how he wanted to hone in on a length and utilize the bounce on offer. Furthermore, he also revealed that he prefers bowling to right-handers as opposed to left-handers. However, Straker even gave Pakistan’s left-handers a real working over. The Aussie duly acknowledged that Australia’s targeted lengths in the first innings had proven effective, as it saw them bundle out Pakistan for a below-par total.