‘I am not scary enough’ – Callum Vidler will let his bowling do the talking in semi-final
Callum Vidler, Australia's fast bowling sensation at the ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2024, credits the 2013-14 Ashes for introducing him to fast bowling.
By Rohit Sankar
It often takes the sight of an iconic figure to ignite a young talent's passion. For Callum Vidler, the inspiration to become a fast bowler came a decade ago when he watched the fearsome Mitchell Johnson curl up his moustache and intimidate the English batters during an enthralling Ashes series between the game's two greatest rivals.
When Ryan Harris’ corker had Alastair Cook dismissed off the first ball of the innings in the Perth Test, little did he know that this moment would shape his destiny. The young boy decided he wanted to steam in with ball in hand, and just bowl fast.
Today Callum Vidler is doing just that. And doing it well. He’s making heads turn at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024.
Australian fast bowler Callum Vidler promises to unleash at the tournament
“It’s hard not to be inspired to become a fast bowler watching that as a young kid,” Vidler tells ICC Digital.
“I thought to myself, ‘I want to do that’, you know? Bowl fast. Just run in and bowl fast. Watching them was my initial inspiration to take up cricket and fast bowling.
“If anyone ever tells me to slow down, I am not listening to them,” he says.
“Pace is my point of difference, my best attribute. I have also been learning to use it wisely, not having just pace, to swing the ball, using my variations and all. But if someone told me to slow down, it’s never working. The whole point is to bowl fast.”
Callum Vidler finished with 4/17 in Kimberley
For someone who watched Johnson run in and bounce out batters with his intimidating pace, Vidler is a lot more subdued with his aggression. He aims to hit the right areas, attack the stumps and force errors with the odd variation in length. It’s what he did against England at the U19 World Cup in what was his best performance at the tournament so far; a spell reminiscent of Australia Test captain Pat Cummins.
Cummins, known for his impeccable skills and pace, serves as a role model for Vidler as he aspires to emulate his success.
“In my younger teenage years, watching Pat Cummins, with his skill and pace, just being a class above everyone else, it’s inspired me and I definitely look up to him,” Vidler says, adding that hopefully this team can emulate Australia’s record of doing great in ICC tournaments.
C Vidler (Australia ) with a Spectacular Bowled Out vs. Namibia , 01/22/2024
The first test will come on Thursday in the semi-final against Pakistan, a tough clash against a team that has come through difficult matches in the tournament, but Vidler believes that Australia’s strength – their strong bond and unity as a group – will see them through.
The unity has been forged through tough tours and predicaments on and off the field. “Pretty much all of our squad members have known each other before. The tour of England, playing ODIs and red-ball games against another U19 side, helped a lot,” he says.
If unity is Australia’s strength, Pakistan will rely on strong individuals who have stepped up time and again in the tournament.
Vidler believes in-form pacer Ubaid Shah, in particular, will be a big threat. “Pakistan have an awesome pace attack,” Vidler says. “Ubaid, Naseem Shah’s brother, has been taking many wickets and stepping up in the big games.
Does he want to send an early warning to the Pakistan batters? “We are very confident of winning the semis, but I am not going to send out any message to the Pakistan batters though,” Vidler laughs.
“I don’t think I have any intimidation in me. I am not tall enough or scary enough. I just want to focus on my cricket.”
No bowler in the ongoing tournament has a better bowling average than Vidler’s 7.81. The 11 wickets he has taken has come at a miserly economy of 3.55. Given his impeccable record in the tournament, his game is all Vidler needs to focus on.