Big-hearted Redbacks make a young cricketer’s day in the most perfect way, with a net session

A youngster’s battle with cancer has touched the hearts of SA’s top players who’ve responded in the most perfect of ways. See the video

Cricket-mad Liam Dunn’s smile says it all, it doesn’t get much better than a net session at Adelaide Oval with your cricketing heroes.

Throw in a signed Strikers match day helmet and Sheffield Shield polo with the signatures of each of the Redbacks, and it is a near-perfect day.

Sadly, the Adelaide Hills youngster has earned the right to a bit of joy, having battled cancer – a rare sub type of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) – twice.

Despite a bone-marrow transplant, there are early signs the dreadful disease might again be rearing its ugly head.

But on Friday, the only thing on Liam’s mind was cricket – and not getting out to Redbacks and Strikers head coach, former Australian fast bowler Jason “Dizzy” Gillespie.

Big-hearted Redbacks rookie Thomas Kelly arranged the special session for Liam, 12, after reading his story in the Sunday Mail where he was named a weekly Little Legends winner.

Kelly was moved by the story of how the Hahndorf Cricket Club junior had finally been able to line up at the crease during summer after years in and out of hospitals.

“He has gone through more than what most of us do in a lifetime, I just can’t imagine what it’s been like for him and his family,” Kelly said.

“To see his face when he had all the (Redbacks) boys around him – with David Grant and Nick Winter bowling at him – it was unbelievable … it was pretty awesome.

“To be able to give back to the community, especially young kids like Liam, is something I am really passionate about, as are a lot of the other boys in the squad.”

Liam Dunn 12, gets in some preseaon at Adelaide Oval with Redbacks Thomas Kelly. Picture: Michael Marschall

Kelly said he was devastated to discover during the session that the Dunn family was again on tenterhooks after recent tests raised some new concerns.

“I just looked at Liam and said, ‘are you ready mate?’ and he answered, ‘I’m a bit scared but I will do it,” Kelly said.

With Liam due to have more tests this week, mum Emma said the chance to meet the SA cricket stars was incredibly special.

“To have some time when we didn’t have to think about too much … to just have a bit of fun but I think his big brother (Noah, who is 14) will be a bit jealous,” Mrs Dunn said.

Gillespie said it had been a privilege to help bring a smile to Liam’s face.

“Liam has been so brave in his fight, and it was he who has inspired Thomas and the group from his own story,” Gillespie said.

“It means a great deal for SACA’s players and staff to give back to cricket fans and our communities as much we can.”

As for quietly-spoken Liam, he’s just looking to making a few runs as soon as he can and plans to keep his new helmet and shirt “forever”.

The Sunday Mail and Fairmont Homes is celebrating the positive aspects of kids’ sport, publishing an online gallery of “Little Legends” finalists each week with a winner, who receives $100, announced in the Chill Section of the paper.

Here is the most recent gallery.

To nominate a ‘Little Legend’ go to bit.ly/littlelegends2021 or email [e-mail].