a day ago
Rising star Oliver Peake hits impressive fifty on Australian A debut
The national ascension of young gun Oliver Peake seems a matter of when rather than if after the teenager looked at home on Australian A debut.
Peake, along with Test contenders Nathan McSweeney and Matt Renshaw, propelled Aussies to a mammoth 4-332 in the first one-day match against Sri Lanka in the Northern Territory.
The 18-year-old joined McSweeney with 10 overs left in the innings and struck an unbeaten 55 from just 38 deliveries.
Peake reached the boundary four times and cleared it once as he raced to a maiden Aus A half century.
The U19 World Cup teammate of Test opener Sam Konstas was the fourth Aussie A player to reach fifty on Friday.
Jason Sangha hit 50 off 65 balls, Renshaw 80 off 84 and McSweeney 84no from 63 balls.
McSweeney (nine fours and one six) rode his luck through his innings but was ultimately too good for the Sri Lankan attack.
It has been a busy week for the left-handed Peake, after he penned a deal with Big Bash League club Melbourne Renegades.
He also made a half century on first-class debut for Victoria earlier this year against Western Australia at the WACA.
Oliver Peake raises the bat for Victoria. (Photo by)
Peake was part of Australia's tour to Sri Lanka in February learning from Test stars and batting coach Michael Di Venuto.
Speaking to SEN in March, Aussie coach Andrew McDonald said Peake was a player earmarked for the future.
'There's no doubt Ollie Peake has been earmarked as a potential first-class player and has he got the potential to play international cricket? Some are saying maybe,' he said.
'We had a great opportunity, supported by Cricket Australia, to bring over a development player and (Peake) was the one we chose.
'To watch him around the group, he had Sammy Konstas there as well, it's weird to have two come out of the under-19s World Cup team in the Australian environment.
'One is competing for a spot at the top of the order and the other is on a development tour – it was a strange set up but nice for him to have a mate on tour.
'To see him go to work was exciting for us and for him to connect with Michael Di Venuto, who has done a magnificent group with the batting group, I think that early point of contact is important to understand how we view cricket.
'Hopefully that spreads the word and helps shape him in some way.'
Friday's match was the first of three one-day matches against Sri Lanka before two four-day matches round out the Northern Territory tour.
Tyler Lewis
Sports reporter
Tyler Lewis is a sports reporter based in Melbourne's south east.
@tmlew_
Tyler Lewis
