Western Australia name 17-year-old uncontracted bolter Will Malajczuk in youthful squad to face Queensland

Western Australia have included 17-year-old uncontracted bolter Will Malajczuk in a youthful squad for their opening One-Day Cup clash.

Spinner Ashton Agar has also been deemed fit enough to be included for Sunday’s clash against Queensland despite having a limited pre-season with a calf complaint.

Malajczuk, who plays club cricket for Subiaco-Floreat and played WAFL colts football for Claremont this season, captained the State at the under-17s national championships in January after being a part of WA’s drought-breaking under-19s title.

The young gun was not offered a rookie deal ahead of the 2025/26 summer, but the off-spinning all-rounder impressed with a half century in a full-squad intra-State one-day game.

Malajczuk will already be in Queensland representing Australia at under-19s level in a series against India, beginning with a youth one-day international the same day WA take on the Bulls.

While the youngster may not make WA’s final XI, Rockingham-Mandurah speedster Albert Esterhuysen is firming for a debut given the State’s depleted fast-bowling stocks.

Esterhuysen was set to represent Australia’s under-19s squad in India early this year, but had to miss the tour with a back concern.

The 19-year-old has trained strongly through the pre-season, and selectors have been impressed with the rookie’s form.

After struggling in last year’s one-day competition, WA have opted for a blend of experience and next-generation players to start the new season, with Sam Fanning, Bryce Jackson, Joel Curtis, and Teague Wyllie included.

Meanwhile, Liam Haskett is set to make his return to the domestic fold after missing all of last season.

WA will face a Queensland squad fresh off a 55-run opening game victory against Victoria, led by Marnus Labuschagne, who broke his century dry spell with 130 from 118 balls.

West Australian under-19s and pathways coach Brian Shields said in March that multiple next-generation players had already been identified, naming Malajczuk one to watch while also praising the State’s ability to produce fast bowlers.

“It seems to be a pretty exciting conveyor belt of talent coming through, and I think a lot of it comes down to the overall culture of WA cricket,” Shields said.

“The Premier clubs are doing a great job, and the pathways are doing pretty well, and these players just keep coming.

“There seems to be a lot of pace bowlers, I don’t know where they are going to fit them all, and we’ve got a lot of good bats coming.”