Wests junior set to tour Sri Lanka with Australian Under 19 squad

But given he’s currently in the form of his life, the 18-year-old is confident he will thrive in the foreign conditions when he travels to Colombo next week with the Australian Under 19 team. 

While he expects the conditions to make fast-bowling challenging, he feels it will prove the challenge he needs to continue developing his bowling on his third Australian Under 19 campaign. 

“It’s a huge honour to represent Australia Under 19s again,” Carlisle said. “I’m really excited to be going on my first overseas tour. The couple of tours in Australia I enjoyed, but this will be a new experience and new challenge. 

“I’m really excited for the challenges of overseas conditions and bowling in the sub-continent. Traditionally the conditions are not friendly for fast bowlers, so it will be a really good challenge. It will allow me to develop my cricket, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Despite embarking on his first international tour as an Australian Under 19 representative, the Wests Illawarra junior feels the previous two domestic tours have prepared him for the increased intensity that comes with playing on the international arena. 

Those two series saw him face Sri Lanka in Hobart and Pakistan in Melbourne, taking five wickets across eight matches. 

“I’m going in with a lot of confidence in my own ability. Having that experience of playing international youth cricket definitely helps with my confidence going forward. 

“I’ve just learnt not to put as much pressure on myself. The last two times I put pressure on myself to perform well. This time I’m going in with more confidence, I’m quite relaxed about how I’m going to go in Sri Lanka.”

Carlisle's selection came on the back of a victorious National Under 19 Championships campaign, in which he took 15 wickets and was the second highest wicket-taker behind South Australian spinner Lloyd Pope. 

The impressive performance continues a quality start to the season for the Campbelltown Camden first-grade player. He’s hopeful of continuing that form in Sri Lanka and upon returning to Australia, where he plans to push for selection in the Futures League. 

“I’m a lot more comfortable at the first grade level. I’m looking forward to seeing how I go after Christmas, I’m hopeful I can continue the form I’m in and bring it back into grade cricket. 

“The goal is to take as many wickets as possible and then push to hopefully get a Futures League gig for ACT/NSW Country.”