Pilbara pair Josh Vernon and Mahli Beardman named in WA under-19s squad

Two cricketing guns from the Pilbara are set to showcase their skills after being named in the WA squad for the upcoming under-19 carnival.

Josh Vernon and Mahli Beardman, both from Dampier, have been named in the 14 man squad alongside other top players including Teague Wyllie.

WA’s campaign at the quick-fire tournament begins on December 15, with a final just seven days later.

WA hasn’t competed at a National Under-19 Carnival since 2019, and last won the tournament in 2016 — with a side that included Test gun Cam Green and first-class regulars Aaron Hardie and Lance Morris.

The pair will form part of a three-pronged pace attack alongside Perth seamer and Wheatbelt product Regan Hill.

Emerging paceman Vernon is the only member of the 14-man squad not linked to a Premier Cricket club in Perth, playing with West Pilbara Cricket Association club Pegs Creek.

Vernon was a standout player for the West Pilbara Junior Cricket Association, performing as a pace bowler clocking up speeds around 120km/h before taking the step up to the senior league.

He was selected to take part in the Australian National Under-15s 50-over competition in 2020 as part of the WA side.

Speaking to Pilbara News at the time, Vernon said he was proud of himself for making the State team.

“Getting selected to play for Australia is a big call, but that’s the end goal,” he said.

Meanwhile Beardman, who is from Dampier, is currently playing for Melville and was named as one of the top 10 rising players to look out for by The West Australian last year.

Speaking to the West Australian last year, WACA coach and talent development manager David Fitzgerald said Beardman could swing the new ball.

“Mahli is an exciting, developing fast bowler,” he said.

“He has exciting ball speed, a great wrist, he’s been recorded at 133km/h in a match at the WACA. He has an ability to swing the new ball — that’s exciting.”

Western Australia under-19 men’s squad

Teague Wyllie (c) (Rockingham-Mandurah), Mahli Beardman (Melville), Jye Donald (Rockingham-Mandurah), Regan Hill (Perth), Luke Holt (Willetton), Douwtjie Hoogenboezem (Fremantle), Benji Melville (University), Tyler Mouritz (Perth), Kai Orr (Joondalup), Kade Povey (Gosnells), Declan Power (Melville) Aryan Varsani (Wanneroo), Joshua Vernon (Pilbara), Corey Wasley (Rockingham-Mandurah)