Darwin-born quick Tom Menzies faces the toughest test of his young career as he lines up for the CA XI against Bangladesh in his hometown
Like how the Darwin Test will be somewhat of a homecoming for Aussie opener Jake Weatherald, the preceding Cricket Australia XI game serves as a similar stage for emerging fast bowler Tom Menzies.
While the 20-year-old has only recently moved away to pursue higher honours, his rise has already included a pair of second XI appearances for South Australia as well as a recent training camp in Chennai as part of the Adelaide Strikers’ academy program.
Now he’s set for his toughest test yet, with the three-day tour match against Bangladesh that began today at Marrara Cricket Ground a chance to mix it with an international opponent and provide another example for aspiring Northern Territory cricketers that there is a pathway to the top level.
Menzies follows in the footsteps of fellow Darwin natives Weatherald and Tom Andrews, progressing through club and representative underage cricket in the NT before realising further opportunities in South Australia.
The right-armer captained the Territory’s under-17 and -19 teams, and his performances earned him a spot on Australia’s U19 tour of England in 2023, where he twice dismissed highly touted English and Durham opener Ben McKinney. He was the first NT cricketer selected in an Australian men’s U19 team since Tom Andrews in 2014.
While Menzies admits the chance to play against a Test team in his hometown won’t truly sink in until he’s running in to deliver his first ball, he’s quick to recognise the opportunity that’s in front of him.
“Playing alongside guys I’ve watched growing up in the Big Bash is going to be a great experience,” he told cricket.com.au. “Kurtis Patterson (named captain of the CA XI) and Josh Philippe; my younger brothers and I used to try and bat like them in the backyard, and now I’m going to be playing with them.
“Seeing (Weatherald play for Australia) was definitely a huge inspiration for me and shows that someone from Darwin can make it if you work hard enough.
“All those boys – D’Arcy Short, Kane Richardson, Tom Andrews and Jake Weatherald – I’ve had the opportunity to play with them for the NT Strike team in the Top End T20 tournament. I think NT Cricket has been really good at exposing their young talent … and without them, I don’t think I would have had that exposure, especially in those underage tournaments.”