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As the leader of one of Australia’s most successful underage sides, Hugh Weibgen witnessed the makings of Sam Konstas, and a side of him not often seen publicly.
Thrust into the furnace of a Boxing Day Test debut against a rampant Jasprit Bumrah, with the dust barely settled on his triumphant 2024 under-19s World Cup, the then teenager became an overnight sensation.
His audacity to ramp arguably the world’s best fast bowler signalled the country’s long wait for a long-term opener could be over – only for reality to hit, and his approach to draw the ire of pundits and fans.
A failed tour in the West Indies and lacklustre start to the Sheffield Shield summer cost him his Test spot at the Ashes to Jake Weatherald less than a year later.
But without the pressure of selection, the young tyro struck a century and half-century against Queensland in his final hit-out for New South Wales before the BBL launched.
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Weibgen, who captained Konstas to World Cup victory in 2024, featured in that Bulls’ line-up to suffer his wrath.
And the 21-year-old, whose Brisbane Heat will face Konstas’ Sydney Thunder on December 22, insisted his old teammate was destined for a long career in the Baggy Green.
“He’s a serious bloke, and he always was a run scorer. I know he didn’t have as many runs as he would’ve liked after that Boxing Day Test, but … he’ll have a long career for Australia I’m sure,” Weibgen said.
“He’s one of the hardest workers going around. Of course it’s going to take its toll, he’s human, but he has really good mental processes.
“I know he’s got a good crew around him as well, he’s got a nice family, and he’s got Shane Watson and a couple of other batting people he speaks to.”
Weibgen himself will one day be in the frame to spearhead Australia’s top order, with fellow Queenslander Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith both approaching the end of their careers.
Hugh Weibgen in action during Australia’s 2024 under-19s one-day World Cup campaign. Credit: Gallo Images
Of the under-19s squad Weibgen led, 11 have reached the professional domestic scene, while Harjas Singh earned a Sydney Sixers call-up after his clinical 314 from just 141 balls in grade cricket.
Paceman Mahli Beardman has been exposed to Australia’s one-day squad, while Callum Vidler has been identified as a future leader of the bowling attack, however a back issue has sidelined him for this season.
“We were fortunate enough that we were all really good mates. We got to go on a few tours before that World Cup,” Weibgen said, who was named as captain in that World Cup’s team of the tournament.
“It’d be pretty cool for the 19s to end up coming through there, that’s obviously everyone’s goal. For me, I’m just trying to keep my spot in the Queensland side.
“Down the track, I’d love to play for Australia one day, but it’ll take a lot of work, and I’ve got plenty to work on.”
Australian selectors’ desire to pick players who have earned their stripes could keep Weibgen back for the foreseeable future.
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But while his career has only just begun, he has already shown match-winning traits similar to those that have made Smith a modern-day great.
Such has been Weibgen’s impact in his short tenure, it led Heat teammate Jimmy Peirson to declare he was “wise beyond his years” and “a future captain in the making”.
In just his second one-day clash for Queensland, Weibgen’s 115 from just 94 deliveries salvaged a win from nowhere, having arrived at the crease with the Bulls 4-38 in pursuit of Western Australia’s 321.
That innings, he said, made him feel he “belonged at the level”, having already sought to feed off the influence he got from David Warner while at the Thunder, and his close rapport with Khawaja built over five years.
“Uzzie plays at the same club as me at Valleys, he’s actually played a fair bit over the last couple of years, so I got to play with him a fair bit,” Weibgen said.
“I’ve had a close relationship with him ever since. The main advice he gave me was ‘you do you’. He’s always said that. He’s big on being confident in yourself and going out there and playing to your strengths.
“He’s been one of Australia’s best batters for a long time now and was one of the best in the world just a year or two ago.”
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