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Australia U-19 opener Will Malajczuk became the fastest centurion in youth World Cups. (PHOTO: ICC)
Australia’s U-19 opener Will Malajczuk idolises Quinton de Kock. Some of his leg-side muscle had striking resemblances with the South African. He exhibited all those during a whirlwind 102 off 55 balls against Japan, slamming his hundred in 51 deliveries, punctuated by 12 fours and five sixes, to become the fastest centurion in youth World Cups. Malajczuk’s knock, that set up Australia’s eight-wicket win, is also the second-fastest in Under-19 ODI history, second only to Pakistan’s Sameer Minhas, who went ballistic to register a 42-ball hundred only a fortnight ago against Zimbabwe.
Like de Kock, he has strong wrists, which he twirls to exploit the region behind the square, especially on the leg-side. Brutal on anything short, he used his feet to sashay down the track and heave the spinners down the ground. Cover drives flew, as did late cut, which ushered in his century. The knock comes with a caveat—the savagery came against minnows Japan. But he demonstrated a glimpse of his stroke-making that Western Australian cricket were convinced long ago. He is the youth side’s captain, was handed a senior contract, shared dressing room with the senior squad during the Ashes. “Being around legends of the game and being able to see the professionalism and how they go about it, especially in a pretty full-on day one, was definitely an awesome experience,” he would say.
Besides, coach Tim Nielsen rates him highly. “If he does come off, it just gives the rest of the batting order that pillow, or buffer, that we’re going quickly at the start and they don’t have to be too panicky,” he said before the tournament. He has been given the licence to attack from the get-go, which he has been dutifully performing.
But a dual sportsman, he was almost footie’s gain and cricket’s lose. At the stroke of last year, he was made to choose between the two sports. It was a tough call, but he told West Australian that he doesn’t repent the decision despite his footie club winning the league. “I already have one (colts premiership) to my name, so I’m pretty happy with where I stand. I would’ve loved to have kept playing footy and I have a love for both sports. “In the middle of this year, I played a couple of colts games and PSA (Public Schools Association) was returning and I thought I had to call it quits and put all my eggs in the basket of cricket,” he said.
“He’s an incredible player … it helps all of us through the middle (of the batting order) to get such a great start,” Australia captain Ollie Peake said post-game.
Of all the awards and souvenirs, he treasures the ‘youth’ Baggy Green he received before his youth-Test debut. “It’s not a real baggy green, but you look at your under-19 baggy green and you’re kind of just in awe. Being able to put the Aussie kit on, it’s pretty special,” he said. Getting the real one is the dream that drives him.
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