Jason Sangha becomes youngest player since Sachin Tendulkar to knock first class ton against England
New Delhi: Jason Sangha, 18-year-old Australian teenager who figured in the Cricket Australia XI, becomes the youngest cricketer since Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar to score a first class century against England at 18 years and 71 days. Cricket Australia XI are playing against England as a preparatory match ahead of Ashes in Australia.
At the age of 17 years and 107 days, Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar pummeled an unbeaten 119 at Old Trafford in 1990 in first class cricket. While Tendulkar is the third youngest to score a ton in a Test match after Bangladesh's Mohammad Ashraful and Mushtaq Mohammad of Pakistan. Sangha becomes the youngest cricketer since Ricky Ponting and overall the ninth youngest Assie cricketer to notch up a first class ton.
Sangha, beside Mathew Short kneaded a 273 runs partnership smacking around the park the likes of Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali who will be playing against Australia in The Ashes' first test in Brisbane. Sangha debuted in first class cricket last week and was dropped by England's Mark Stoneman on 43 en route to his feat. Sangha was ultimately beaten by Crane on 134 while Short remained unbeaten.
On Saturday, Shane Warne commented England seem confident ahead of Ashes and Australia are confused and seemed furious at the decision of the selectors to select Tim Paine as wicket-keeper for Ashes squad.
Selectors had a bag of surprises waiting for the veteran Aussies. Tim Paine, Cameron Bancroft and Shaun Marsh made it to the squad in place of Matthew Wade, Matt Renshaw and Glenn Maxwell to face England at the Gabba which left the Pundits pondering.
"If he's meant to be the best keeper then you'd think at least he'd make the Tasmania one," expressed former test bowler Brendon Julian.
Warne was quoted as saying to the reporters, "England no longer fear Australia and haven't for a long time and hence that's why they can beat Australia."
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"Australia look confused. They're picking wicketkeepers that aren't even keeping for their state," the spin maestro added.
But the way the two youngsters blunted and dismissed the English bowlers, it's somewhat assuring for Australia that they are not going to concede an inch in their home turf.