Australia · Fast bowler

Tom Straker: Age, 6/24, Queensland Stats and Career

Tom Straker is a 21-year-old Australian right-arm fast bowler contracted to Queensland for 2026/27 and Adelaide Strikers for BBL|16. He first drew international attention with 6/24 against Pakistan in the 2024 Under-19 World Cup semi-final, the best figures recorded in an U19 World Cup semi-final or final. Two senior seasons later, his record stands at 29 first-class wickets and 10 List A wickets, including a career-best Sheffield Shield match return of 7/75.

By StumpScope Cricket Desk · Edited by StumpScope Editorial Team

Right-handedRight-arm fast seam bowlerBorn 19 March 2005

Current squadAdelaide StrikersBig Bash League · Queensland and BBL|16 contract status checked 3 September 2026

Open team page →

Full nameTom C Straker

Age21As of 3 September 2026

Date of birth19 March 2005Caringbah, New South Wales, Australia

Batting styleRight-handed

Bowling styleRight-arm fast seam

Career overview

Tom Straker cricket career

Born 19 March 2005; aged 21 on 3 September 2026.

Right-arm fast-seam bowler who bats right-handed and represents Queensland.

Took a record 6/24 against Pakistan in the 2024 Under-19 World Cup semi-final.

First-class record through 2025/26: 29 wickets from 13 matches, with best innings figures of 4/32 and match figures of 7/75.

List A record through 2025/26: 10 wickets from eight matches, with a best of 3/54.

Contracted to Adelaide Strikers for BBL|16 but yet to make a completed Big Bash appearance.

Career story

Tom Straker career and playing journey

Who is Tom Straker?

Tom C Straker is an Australian fast bowler born on 19 March 2005. He bats right-handed and bowls right-arm fast seam, with Cricket Australia and the ICC both listing him primarily as a bowler.

Straker grew up in New South Wales and represented NSW Metro at youth level before Queensland recruited him into its state pathway. He now plays club cricket for Valley and holds a place in Queensland's 2026/27 senior squad.

He was 21 on 3 September 2026. His two main professional affiliations are Queensland in first-class and one-day cricket and Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash, although his first BBL appearance had not yet occurred.

Why is Tom Straker known for 6/24?

Straker took 6/24 against Pakistan in the 2024 Under-19 World Cup semi-final at Benoni. The spell was the best bowling return in any semi-final or final in the history of the men's U19 World Cup at that point.

He broke Pakistan's opening stand, removed captain Saad Baig and later returned to dismiss established batter Azan Awais before clearing the lower order. Pakistan were bowled out for 179 after recovering from 79/5 through two half-centuries.

Australia then survived a severe chase collapse to win by one wicket. Straker was Player of the Match, but the result also depended on Raf MacMillan and Callum Vidler adding the last 17 runs.

Did Tom Straker win the Under-19 World Cup?

Yes. Australia beat India by 79 runs in the final on 11 February 2024 to win the men's Under-19 World Cup. Straker took the final wicket when wicketkeeper Ryan Hicks caught Saumy Pandey from his bowling.

His final figures were 1/32 from 7.5 overs. Mahli Beardman and Raf MacMillan each took three wickets, while Vidler claimed two, so the final was a shared bowling performance rather than a repeat of Straker's six-wicket semi-final.

Straker finished the tournament with 13 wickets. The championship and record semi-final spell established his youth credentials, but senior cricket still required different workloads, longer spells and stronger batting line-ups.

How did the nickname Monster Truck begin?

Cricket Australia's Under-19 coverage used the nickname “Monster Truck” for Straker during the 2024 tournament. It reflected the strong, bustling style that made him a difficult pace option on helpful South African surfaces.

A nickname is not a technical bowling classification. The current official description is right-arm fast seam, while the ICC uses right-arm medium. Both place him in the pace-bowling group rather than among spin or all-round options.

The useful scouting evidence remains his method and results: a repeatable seam-bowling role, the ability to use bounce and a record of returning for later spells rather than relying only on the new ball.

How did Tom Straker move from New South Wales to Queensland?

Straker represented NSW Metro and played for Sutherland during his youth, but Queensland persuaded him to switch state pathways. He joined the Bulls on a rookie contract before the 2024/25 domestic season.

The move offered a clear senior route alongside other young fast bowlers. Queensland selected him in both the One-Day Cup and Sheffield Shield within the first weeks of his debut season.

Changing states did not erase his New South Wales development. Sutherland and NSW Metro formed the early record; Queensland became the professional state program that gave him senior appearances and later a full contract.

When did Tom Straker make his List A debut?

Straker made his List A debut for Queensland against Tasmania on 25 September 2024. The match was affected by weather and ended without a result, so the debut did not supply a complete full-length one-day contest.

He played three One-Day Cup matches in his first season and took four wickets, including 3/54 as his best return. Those figures helped establish a limited-overs starting point without implying that he had already become a regular white-ball selection.

By the end of 2025/26, his List A record had grown to eight matches and 10 wickets. That total includes Queensland matches and his Australia A one-day appearance in India.

When did Tom Straker make his first-class debut?

Straker made his first-class debut for Queensland against Western Australia at the WACA on 8 October 2024. Queensland captain Marnus Labuschagne chose to bowl first against a side containing several established Australian players.

His first Sheffield Shield wicket was Jayden Goodwin in Western Australia's second innings. The match ended in a draw, giving Straker a demanding introduction on a surface where the fast bowlers worked for long periods.

He completed five Shield matches in 2024/25 and took 12 wickets. His best innings figures that season were 4/87, providing enough progress for Queensland to move him from a rookie deal to a full contract.

Why did Queensland give him a full contract?

Queensland elevated Straker to a full contract for 2025/26 after his five-match debut Shield season. The state specifically cited his 12 wickets and grouped him with fellow young fast bowler Tom Whitney as part of its developing pace depth.

A full contract recognised senior contribution rather than youth reputation alone. The U19 title opened attention, but first-class and one-day performances demonstrated that he could handle state-level workloads.

Queensland retained Straker in its 2026/27 squad under new coach James Hopes. The current list confirms continuity while competition from Michael Neser, Xavier Bartlett, Mark Steketee, Cameron Gannon and other quicks shapes selection.

What happened on Tom Straker's Australia A tour?

Straker joined Australia A for the 2025 tour of India, gaining experience outside Australian domestic conditions. He was part of the one-day squad after preparing with Queensland during the pre-season.

In the first unofficial ODI, he took 1/67 from seven overs as India A chased a high-scoring target. Across the one-day portion he delivered 84 balls, conceded 131 runs and took one wicket.

Those matches hold List A status and are already included in his career aggregate. Adding the Australia A wicket again to the Queensland total would count the same performance twice.

How did Tom Straker produce 7/75 against Victoria?

Straker took 3/43 and 4/32 against Victoria at the MCG in February 2026. His match return of 7/75 was his first seven-wicket first-class game and helped Queensland complete a 36-run victory over the Shield leaders.

The last wicket was debutant Dylan Brasher, who had batted 218 balls for 72 in Victoria's attempt to chase 242. Straker removed him on the final morning, ending the resistance and sealing Queensland's third win of the season.

The performance mattered because it came in his tenth first-class match after several useful but less dramatic returns. Queensland coach Johan Botha described it as a reward for the progress Straker had been making across his early games.

What are Tom Straker's first-class statistics?

Through the 2025/26 season, Straker had taken 29 wickets from 13 first-class matches and 24 bowling innings. He delivered 2,011 balls, conceded 1,032 runs and recorded an average of 35.59 with an economy rate of 3.08.

His best innings figures are 4/32, and his best match return is 7/75. He has two four-wicket innings but no five-wicket haul, an important distinction because seven wickets across two innings is not a five-for.

With the bat, he scored 129 runs from 17 innings, remaining not out five times. His high score is 36, average 10.75 and strike rate 25.44, numbers that define a lower-order role rather than an all-rounder record.

What are Tom Straker's List A statistics?

Straker's List A record contains 10 wickets from eight matches and seven bowling innings. He bowled 326 balls, conceded 364 runs and recorded best figures of 3/54, an average of 36.40 and an economy rate of 6.69.

His batting contribution is six runs from four innings, with three not-outs and a high score of 6 not out. That produces an average of 6.00 from only one dismissal, illustrating why a batting average can be misleading in a tiny lower-order sample.

The List A record covers two Queensland seasons and Australia A's one-day tour. It remains separate from first-class cricket, where longer matches create different spells, field settings and recovery demands.

How did his 2025/26 Shield season improve?

Straker took 17 wickets across eight Sheffield Shield matches in 2025/26, five more than his debut-season total. His economy rate improved to 2.82 while he handled 207.5 overs across the campaign.

The 7/75 against Victoria supplied seven of those wickets, so the season still contained a pronounced peak. His remaining 10 wickets came across the other seven matches and should not be hidden behind one career-best game.

That distribution is normal evidence for an emerging quick: a breakthrough match can raise the ceiling, while consistency across different surfaces remains the next challenge.

What kind of bowler is Tom Straker?

Straker is a strong right-arm seamer whose value comes from sustained pressure and the ability to return for decisive spells. His Under-19 semi-final and MCG performance both included wickets at different stages of an innings.

He is not yet defined by extreme pace figures or a large senior sample. Official descriptions range from right-arm medium to fast seam, so a precise speed claim would need measured data rather than adjectives.

His first-class economy of about 3.08 shows control across more than 335 overs. The wicket average of 35.59 shows that control has not yet translated into a consistently low cost per dismissal.

Why do workloads matter for a young fast bowler?

Queensland managed Straker out of the second Shield round after his debut, explicitly citing workload. Fast bowlers moving from youth cricket into multi-day senior seasons face larger volumes, shorter recovery windows and more physically demanding spells.

Management is not proof of an injury. It can involve planned rest, training loads and the balance between state, pathway and representative commitments.

The two completed senior seasons show a gradual increase: five Shield matches in 2024/25 and eight in 2025/26. That progression is more informative than assuming availability from a contract alone.

Has Tom Straker played in the Big Bash?

No completed Big Bash appearance is recorded for Straker through BBL|15. Adelaide Strikers signed him on 1 December 2025 and included him in the season squad, but squad membership did not become a match in the official record.

This distinction prevents a common error. A player can train, travel and remain available without entering the playing XI; only a completed scorecard creates runs, wickets, catches or an appearance.

Adelaide's current directory lists zero Big Bash catches and no batting or bowling totals. That empty line should remain honest rather than being filled with state or Under-19 statistics.

Is Tom Straker contracted for BBL|16?

Yes. Cricket Australia's current squad list and Adelaide's 2026 schedule announcement both include Straker among the players contracted for BBL|16. He joins an attack that also contains established and emerging pace options.

The contract continues the development opportunity he described when signing for BBL|15. Learning within the squad can matter, but it does not carry statistical weight unless he is selected in a match.

BBL|16 will therefore be a possible debut season rather than a continuation of an existing playing record. Any future appearance should begin his competition totals from the completed scorecard.

Which teams has Tom Straker represented?

Straker's documented pathway includes Sutherland, NSW Metro Under-19s, Australia Under-19s, Valley, Queensland and Australia A. Adelaide Strikers is his Big Bash club, with contract membership but no completed appearance through BBL|15.

Each team belongs to a different competition or development level. An U19 international does not count as a senior international, and a state one-day match does not count as a Big Bash appearance.

All records belong to the same Tom C Straker born on 19 March 2005. Team changes and repeated directory listings should point to one continuous identity.

What is known about Tom Straker's salary and net worth?

No dependable public financial record establishes Straker's take-home salary, complete career earnings or net worth. Queensland and Adelaide have confirmed contracts without publishing a complete personal financial statement.

A contract category or reported league amount would describe one agreement, not taxes, agent fees, match payments, bonuses, sponsorships, assets or liabilities. It cannot support a reliable net-worth calculation on its own.

The accurate answer is limited: Tom Straker is professionally contracted, but a numerical salary or net-worth claim is not publicly established.

What is public about Tom Straker's family and relationships?

Reliable cricket sources establish Straker's youth pathway and move from New South Wales to Queensland, but they do not provide dependable public details about his parents, siblings or current relationship status.

Names copied across biography sites or inferred from social media would not establish identity or consent. Private-life claims should require direct public disclosure or responsible reporting before inclusion.

Keeping that boundary does not leave a cricket question unanswered. His selection history, contracts and match performances explain his career without speculation about a wife, girlfriend or family finances.

Myth versus reality: did one youth spell guarantee success?

The 6/24 made Straker a major youth prospect, but it did not guarantee senior selection or international cricket. He still had to change states, earn a rookie deal, make two domestic debuts and compete for overs within Queensland's pace group.

His 29 first-class wickets show genuine progress, while an average of 35.59 shows that development remains unfinished. The MCG 7/75 raised his senior ceiling without turning 13 matches into a settled career.

The better reading sits between hype and dismissal: the youth record explains why he was recruited, and the senior record now supplies a separate body of evidence.

Tom Straker records and achievements

Straker's defining youth achievement is 6/24 against Pakistan, the best figures in an U19 World Cup semi-final or final. He was Player of the Match and then took the last wicket as Australia beat India to win the 2024 title.

At senior level, he earned Queensland debuts in both List A and first-class cricket during 2024, moved from a rookie to a full state contract and toured India with Australia A in 2025.

His strongest senior performance is 7/75 against Victoria in February 2026, including a career-best 4/32. Queensland retained him for 2026/27, while Adelaide Strikers kept him contracted for BBL|16.

What should readers watch next?

Queensland's 2026/27 season will show whether Straker can turn a career-best match into more regular wicket-taking. Selection competition is strong, so appearances and workload will matter as much as the existence of a contract.

BBL|16 offers a separate question: whether Adelaide selects him for a first completed Big Bash match. His pace skill is relevant, but T20 roles demand specific plans at the start and end of an innings.

The next meaningful updates should come from completed scorecards: new first-class wickets, List A returns or an actual BBL debut. Squad announcements alone should not alter his playing totals.

Tom Straker records

Tom Straker career statistics and records

Batting, bowling and fielding figures are kept separate by competition and format.

First-class career through 2025/2613matches

Batting

Innings: 17
Runs: 129
High score: 36
Average: 10.75
Strike rate: 25.44
Not outs: 5
100s / 50s: 0/0

Bowling & fielding

Innings: 24
Wickets: 29
Best bowling: 4/32
Average: 35.59
Economy: 3.08
Strike rate: 69.34
Balls: 2,011
Catches / stumpings: Career aggregate not confirmed
5w / 10w: 0/0

List A career through 2025/268matches

Batting

Innings: 4
Runs: 6
High score: 6*
Average: 6.00
Strike rate: 20.68
Not outs: 3
100s / 50s: 0/0

Bowling & fielding

Innings: 7
Wickets: 10
Best bowling: 3/54
Average: 36.40
Economy: 6.69
Strike rate: 32.60
Balls: 326
Catches / stumpings: Career aggregate not confirmed
5w / 10w: 0/0

Sheffield Shield 2025/268matches

Batting

Innings: Season aggregate
Runs: 64
High score: 19
Average: Season aggregate
Strike rate: 18.71
Not outs: Season aggregate
100s / 50s: 0/0

Bowling & fielding

Innings: 15
Wickets: 17
Best bowling: 4/32
Average: 34.53
Economy: 2.82
Strike rate: 73.35
Balls: 1,247
Catches / stumpings: Season aggregate not confirmed
5w / 10w: 0/0

2024 Under-19 World CupTournament campaignmatches

Batting

Innings: Lower-order role
Runs: Not used as a senior statistic
High score: Not used as a senior statistic
Average: Not applicable
Strike rate: Not applicable
Not outs: Tournament aggregate
100s / 50s: 0/0

Bowling & fielding

Innings: Tournament campaign
Wickets: 13
Best bowling: 6/24
Average: Tournament aggregate
Economy: Tournament aggregate
Strike rate: Tournament aggregate
Balls: Tournament aggregate
Catches / stumpings: Tournament aggregate
5w / 10w: 1/0

Big Bash through BBL|150matches

Batting

Innings: 0
Runs: 0
High score: Not applicable
Average: Not applicable
Strike rate: Not applicable
Not outs: 0
100s / 50s: 0/0

Bowling & fielding

Innings: 0
Wickets: 0
Best bowling: Not applicable
Average: Not applicable
Economy: Not applicable
Strike rate: Not applicable
Balls: 0
Catches / stumpings: 0
5w / 10w: 0/0

Career chronology

Debut and last listed match

Australia Under-19

Debut

2023 youth internationals

Last listed match

2024 World Cup champion; 13 wickets

Queensland List A

Debut

25 September 2024 v Tasmania

Last listed match

10 wickets from eight matches through 2025/26

Queensland first-class

Debut

8 October 2024 v Western Australia

Last listed match

29 wickets from 13 matches through 2025/26

Australia A List A

Debut

2025 tour of India

Last listed match

Included within the eight-match List A aggregate

Adelaide Strikers

Debut

Signed for BBL|15

Last listed match

Contracted for BBL|16; no appearance through BBL|15

Career achievements

Career achievements and milestones

Took 6/24 in the 2024 Under-19 World Cup semi-final against Pakistan.
Set the best bowling figures in an U19 World Cup semi-final or final.
Claimed the last wicket as Australia won the 2024 Under-19 World Cup final.
Made Queensland List A and first-class debuts in September and October 2024.
Moved from a Queensland rookie deal to a full state contract for 2025/26.
Represented Australia A on its 2025 tour of India.
Took 3/43 and 4/32 for match figures of 7/75 against Victoria in February 2026.
Retained by Queensland for 2026/27 and contracted to Adelaide Strikers for BBL|16.

Reader questions

Tom Straker FAQ

How old is Tom Straker?

Tom Straker was 21 years old on 3 September 2026. He was born on 19 March 2005.

Where is Tom Straker from?

He is from Caringbah in New South Wales and developed through Sutherland and NSW Metro before moving into Queensland's professional pathway.

What type of bowler is Tom Straker?

He is a right-arm fast-seam bowler. The ICC uses the broader right-arm medium classification, while Cricket Australia describes him as a strong, bustling fast bowler.

Why is Tom Straker's 6/24 a record?

His 6/24 against Pakistan in 2024 was the best bowling return in a men's Under-19 World Cup semi-final or final.

Did Tom Straker win the Under-19 World Cup?

Yes. He took 13 wickets during Australia's 2024 title campaign and claimed the final wicket against India.

What are Tom Straker's first-class statistics?

Through 2025/26, he had 29 wickets from 13 matches at 35.59, with best innings figures of 4/32 and best match figures of 7/75.

What are Tom Straker's List A statistics?

Through 2025/26, he had 10 wickets from eight matches at 36.40, with best figures of 3/54.

Has Tom Straker played in the BBL?

No completed Big Bash appearance is recorded through BBL|15. He was in Adelaide Strikers' squad but did not enter a playing XI.

Which BBL team is Tom Straker contracted to?

Tom Straker is contracted to Adelaide Strikers for BBL|16 after first signing with the club for BBL|15.

What is Tom Straker's net worth?

No dependable public financial record establishes his net worth, take-home salary or complete career earnings, so a numerical estimate would be speculative.

Conclusion

Tom Straker's 6/24 and the final wicket of Australia's 2024 Under-19 World Cup win remain the achievements that introduced him to a wider audience. His senior record now offers a better measure of progress: 29 first-class wickets, 10 List A wickets and a career-best 7/75 against Victoria.

Queensland's 2026/27 season and BBL|16 provide two different next steps. One asks for more consistent state wickets; the other may deliver his first Big Bash appearance. Until a completed scorecard records that debut, the Strikers contract should remain separate from his playing statistics.