Victorian teen will become Australia’s youngest ever specialist ODI batter in series opener tonight in Rawalpindi
Oliver Peake will become the 252nd Australian to play men’s one-day international cricket tonight, skipper Josh Inglis has confirmed.
The 19-year-old from Geelong has been on a meteoric trajectory since playing a star role in Australia’s U19 World Cup win in 2024 when aged just 17.
“I can confirm that Ollie Peake is going to make his debut tomorrow (Saturday), so it’s incredibly exciting for Peakey,” Inglis said from Rawalpindi.
“He’s been great value around the group already so far. We’ve seen what he’s done over the last couple of years, and he really deserves to be here.
“So incredibly excited for him.”
At 19 years and 261 days, the left-hander will beat Ricky Ponting’s record as the youngest specialist batter to debut for Australia.
Ponting was aged 20 years and 58 days when he made his ODI debut in February 1995 against South Africa during a tournament in New Zealand, making 1 batting at No.6.
The youngest ever ODI debutant for Australia was Pat Cummins at 18 years and 164 days. Cummins is among a handful of front-line stars missing from this tour as selectors prioritise the up to 21 Tests Australia will play in a 12-month block from August.
While not confirming a full XI for the opening match, Australia will also play towering quick Billy Stanlake in Rawalpindi, said Inglis.
“Billy Stanlake is going to be back into the side,” Inglis said.
“I think it’s a great story with Bill. He’s not been around the group since 2019 so I think the resilience he showed to get back on the park and put in some good performances last year, he really deserves to be here.”
Nine years on from his international debut, Stanlake is in line to play his eighth ODI, having rediscovered his best following a move to Tasmania and the Hobart Hurricanes.