Poised for the big league

have revealed to Cricket Australia after the match.

The drawn encounter was called late in the day when the CA XI were 4-364.

Speaking to Indian Link about the way he approached his innings, Sangha said, “What worked for me was just sticking to my game plan, which was simply to keep the scoreboard ticking. I had a clear plan of how I was going to score my runs and I’m glad it really worked. I wasn’t thinking too much about the bowler, but focusing on the ball.”

Sangha, whose family migrated to Australia from Punjab four generations ago, has had a phenomenal run since he began his career with the U-15 Schoolboys carnival in Darwin in 2015. Cricket Australia’s National Talent Manager Greg Chappell has previously described the top order batsman as an elegant stroke-maker with a touch of class.

And while cricket experts laud him for his solid defense, stylish drives, nimble footwork and insatiable appetite for runs, the talented Novocastrian says his latest innings has boosted his confidence. “I’ve learnt so much about my own game here, but I’ve also got the confidence and self-belief that I can compete at this level now,” he told Indian Link from the sidelines of another match.

Sangha rates mental strength as the key to success on the field. “Everyone has skill, but whoever has the better mental side of the game will come out on top,” he says, pointing to the calm and relaxed on-field demeanour of former India cricket captain MS Dhoni, from whom Sangha says he draws inspiration for his own batting.

Recalling his family’s reaction to the feat, Sangha says, “Oh, it has been amazing. My family has been with me through my whole journey. But this is only the beginning.”

For now, the talented cricketer is now focusing on further improving his game. “To be the best player, you can’t have any weaknesses, so I’m continuing to work on all parts of my game so they are all strengths,” he says.

Indian-Aussie cricket prodigy Jason Sangha, who became the 2nd youngest player after Sachin Tendulkar to score a first-class hundred century against England, says he’s ready for the top level

BY TARINI PURI

The best way to handle pressure is to think there is none, says Indian-Australian cricketer

Jason Sangha, who is now in the record books of the game as the second-youngest player behind only Sachin Tendulkar to score a first-class century against England, and the youngest to reach three figures in a first-class game in Australia since Ricky Ponting in 1992-93. Playing against the visitors in their final warm-up match in Townsville before the Ashes began on 23 November, Jason, who is from Sydney, saved the game for Cricket Australia’s XI scoring 133 in a 263-run third-wicket stand with 22-year-old Matt Short. The young cricketer, who finished school just two weeks ago, counts it as one of his best performances so far.

With their 144-run lead against the young CA XI (3-121) at the start of play, England were eyeing an innings victory. But Sangha, along with Short, held his own against the opposition attack which featured several international players including Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali.

In his stunning innings, Sangha, who confidently weathered the barrage of short balls from England, even hooked speedsters like Craig Overton. Sangha brought up his maiden century when he worked Woakes to the leg-side. He was finally out sweeping to leg-spinner Mason Crane in the final session, the only wicket England took all day.

Brushing off questions of how he dealt with the nervous 90s, the young cricketer said, “You can’t be nervous or anxious about being in the 90s or who you are facing. You just can’t. If you are nervous or at one stage you feel like you can’t do it, you won’t get there.”

The series of bouncers he faced that day was the most intense in his short and bright career so far, Sangha is believed to

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