Mitch Marsh kicks on after U19 World Cup

Mitch Marsh finds himself back in New Zealand six years after leading Australia to under-19 World Cup glory.

The ongoing ODI series in New Zealand has doubled as an under-19 World Cup reunion for four members of Australia's squad.

Six years ago the nation's most talented junior cricketers crossed the Tasman, with Mitch Marsh enlisted as captain.

Their triumph over Pakistan in the final remains Australia's most recent under-19 title.

The tournament also played a pivotal role in the development of Marsh, Josh Hazlewood, Kane Richardson and Adam Zampa.

"It was the start of our careers really. We all kicked on after that tournament," Marsh, now Australia's premier allrounder, told AAP.

"It's pretty cool that four of us are back in New Zealand and playing for Australia now. As teenagers you don't really think about something like that."

The quartet have taken significantly different journeys to the top but they're all very much players of interest to chairman of selectors Rod Marsh.

The same can be said of Nic Maddinson, another member of that 2010 under-19 squad who has played two Twenty20s for Australia and captained NSW.

Unsurprisingly given he's a legspinner, Zampa's wait was the longest.

He made his first-class debut in 2012, while his international debut came in Wellington on Saturday.

Richardson's ODI debut was in 2013 and the paceman has played a further 14 games for Australia.

Marsh played for Australia as a 19-year-old, when he faced up to Dale Steyn in South Africa.

Injuries stalled the West Australian's progress but he donned the baggy green in 2014 and within eight months had taken Shane Watson's place in the XI during the Ashes.

Hazlewood's story is similar.

The paceman played an ODI within five months of the under-19 event, suffered plenty of injury setbacks and now finds himself spearheading the Test and ODI attacks.

"I remember he was man of the match in the final, took 4-30. He bowled exceptionally well," Marsh said of Hazlewood's output in New Zealand six years ago.

"Richo pretty much won us the final, he had a great partnership with Timmy Armstrong.

"Zamps didn't play the final but took a couple of wickets during the World Cup ... we all played key roles at certain stages."

Marsh remembers the occasion fondly and remains in touch with all involved in that touring party he skippered.

"Leading a bunch of 18-year-olds in Queenstown was always going to be pretty tough," Marsh joked.

"We certainly had fun, which you should do at that age, but we trained extremely hard.

"It was a great bunch of guys and that win is something we'll have forever ... and everyone really enjoyed it.

"That's probably the one thing that hasn't changed. That sense of enjoyment."

Marsh is reluctant to criticise any of his teammates' fashion sense or lack of maturity as teens.

"The haircuts have definitely changed. Mine was pretty bad, probably the worst of them," he said.

"I didn't have to give anyone a spray (for playing up). Most of the time if anyone was in trouble they were with me.

"As you get older you certainly mature a lot and we've all done that."

On and off the field.

"I'd say 95 per cent of the squad went on to play for their state or for Australia, which is great," Marsh said.

"You certainly learn a fair bit playing an under-19 World Cup. It's a great stepping stone into senior international cricket."

The under-19 World Cup is currently unfolding in Bangladesh but Australia are not taking part because of security concerns.


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Source: AAP



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