Mum’s love drives SA Kelly twins: At home with Redbacks’ Thomas and Corey Kelly on Mother’s Day

Corey and Thomas Kelly are two of the state’s hottest cricketing prospects. And when it comes to the secret of their success, much of the thanks goes to their mum Tina.

Redbacks’ Thomas and Corey Kelly give mum Tina a hug for Mother’s Day. Picture: Sarah Reed

For two of the state’s hottest young cricketing prospects, Corey and Thomas Kelly, there’s one face that always stands out in the crowd – mum Tina.

The identical twins, 20, who were offered contracts with South Australia’s Redbacks within moments of each other last year, say she is their most important fan.

“Mum has been unreal, obviously in cricket you have lean runs in form and she is always our No. 1 supporter,” Thomas said.

“She doesn’t put pressure on us … every time we walk out the door to go and play she just says, ‘Good luck, go well boys – don’t do anything stupid’.

“She is awesome and we are very lucky to have a mum like her in our lives.”

“Mum is always there, always makes you laugh,” Corey added.

But you won’t find this proud cricket mother, who estimates she’s washed about 1700 loads of cricket whites, taking centre stage or cheering wildly at a game. She prefers to find a quiet spot to sit and watch her boys, most often with daughter, Lucy, 16.

When Corey was part of Australia’s under-19 side, Mrs Kelly made a last-minute dash to Queensland to watch him play in a game against New Zealand.

“I got on a plane, caught public transport for two hours to get out there — the hire cars were all booked – then walked half an hour in the rain … the look on his face when he saw me in the grandstand had me tearing up and I got the best hug afterwards I’ve ever had,” she said.

You’re the best, Mum: Cricketing brothers Thomas and Corey Kelly show their ‘number one supporter’ a bit of love. Picture: Sarah Reed

Mrs Kelly admits to being intensely protective of her boys, who were also talented young footballers – dad is inaugural Adelaide Crow Matthew Kelly – and only too aware of the pressures that come with playing elite level sport.

When Thomas was offered his contact, she hoped Corey would too.

“As a mum, it is hard, because you want both to do well … saying that, the boys are supportive of each other and there is no jealousy … they both play different roles in the team as well (Corey, a pace-bowling, all-rounder and Thomas a top/middle-order batsman),” she said.

She probably shouldn’t have worried, given, as she says, ever since Corey arrived in the world two minutes before his brother, what one has done, so too has the other.

“When one learnt to walk, the other did it a couple of minutes later, it’s just how it works,” Mrs Kelly said.

The Kelly twins – Thomas in the Australian colours of yellow and green – as kids with little sister Lucy who is four years younger. Picture supplied by family.

While there might be twice as much to celebrate when a match goes well, there are also twice the sideline nerves – the twins also play together at Premier Cricket club, Sturt.

“For me, watching the boys bat is hardest, especially when they are batting together, I struggle to watch sometimes – if one runs the other one out, I know it is going to be a long afternoon,” she said.

“But when they are playing together – it was the same at footy — they seem to know what is going on with the other one, so batting-wise it works pretty well … it is a weird twin thing.

“The best thing is, if they’ve have done well, they’ll find me and come over and give me a hug.”

Corey Kelly in action for Sturt back in 2019. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Martin

To Mrs Kelly, the boys’ sporting success is one thing but how they conduct themselves off field is most important, including their commitment to Sturt’s juniors over the past few years.

“Sturt has been amazing to the boys and it is their nature to give back,” she said.

“They haven’t changed, that is probably what I am proud of, they have stayed who they are … yes, they can be bits of ratbags but they are just nice down-to-earth nice boys and I love them dearly.”

Thomas Kelly batting for Sturt last season. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Thomas said he hoped to give back to his home state by helping the Redbacks “win games of cricket”.

“Obviously, to pull on a baggy green would be unreal but, for now, we just want to win games of cricket for our state, potentially win some shields and one-day cups … it would be awesome to give back to the state,” he said.

The Redbacks are currently on six weeks leave, returning on June 1.

One-time little legends, the Kelly twins are now inspiring a new generation of young cricketers. Share you family’s ‘little legend’ with us for a chance to win $100.