Youngster takes five wickets on senior debut for Port Noarlunga Cricket Club

THE seasoned cricketers couldn’t have seen it coming: A 12-year-old’s taken an incredible five-wicket haul in his seniors’ debut after being called up as a last-minute fill-in.

Kieran O'Loughlin 12 of Morphett Vale (Cricket player, Port Noarlunga Cricket Club) at Port Noarlunga Oval. He filled in for the club's B grade and took five wickets to help the side win a match last weekend. 04/02/16 Picture: Stephen Laffer

HE is not yet a teenager, but Kieran O’Loughlin is already a legend at Port Noarlunga Cricket Club after claiming a five-wicket haul in his debut for the club’s seniors.

The 12-year-old leg-spinner guided the White Pointers to victory against Woodcroft a fortnight ago on the back of man-of-the-match bowling figures of 5/39.

Kieran, who usually plays for the club’s under-14 side, was called up to the B grade after two players pulled out the night before the Adelaide & Suburban Cricket Association section three clash.

With Woodcroft needing 100 runs from about 30 overs, Kieran’s father, Steve, who also filled in as a fielder, suggested his son might be able to do a job with the ball.

“My first over was pretty good because I took a wicket,” Kieran, of Morphett Vale, says.

“I was keeping it pretty tight, then they started getting a few runs.

“But I got a couple more wickets (to win) and everyone was jumping on me and celebrating.

“The other players said I was a legend.

“Some of the guys I got out were a bit upset.”

Kieran made four not out batting at No. 9 in Port Noarlunga’s 7/229.

Steve says he knew his son could deliver victory for the team.

“I said to (captain) Chris (Smith) I wouldn’t hesitate to bring him on, if he goes for a few runs then we can reassess it,” Steve says.

“I was pretty proud to be able to stand at slip and watch him get his five wickets.

“His first couple of balls were a bit full, but then he got a wicket and the rest is history.”

Kieran scored 21 for Port Noarlunga against Keswick on the weekend after his matchwinning performance helped him retain his place in the B grade.

The all-rounder, who took up spin bowling four years ago, says playing against men is a steep learning curve.

“It can get a bit feisty every now and then,” the Hallett Cove Year 7 student says.