From Sussex to Southern, cricketer Lewis Hatchett finds his groove at Stingrays as mentor, coach
He’s missing two ribs and a right pectoral muscle it has not stopped an ex-Sussex cricketer proving a big hit at an SA grade cricket club.
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Southern District Cricket Club knows it has someone special in its ranks in former Sussex cricketer Lewis Hatchett.
Hatchett has Poland syndrome, meaning that he was born without a right pectoral muscle and two ribs.
But he is used to meeting and beating challenges not only on the cricket ground but in everyday life.
The condition, which the 29-year-old manages, can be found in about one in 100,000 births and affects one side of the body.
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In his early days growing up in England, Hatchett says playing any type of sport, let alone cricket and eventually first-class action with Sussex, was probably a pipedream.
But perseverance paid off and Hatchett, with the right side of his chest sunken, was on his way to bigger things in cricket.
At the time, back in England, Hatchett patiently explained to inquiring people, mainly teammates, what had happened to him.
“There has always been banter from teammates about it and new ones tend to ask how it happened pretty early on – I tell them it was a shark attack – but I don’t take offence unless it gets personal,’’ Hatchett said at the time.
Hatchett’s journey and love affair with South Australia and the Stingrays began in 2008 when he was a member of the Darren Lehmann Cricket Academy.
Hatchett, a left-handed batsman and a left-arm medium-fast bowler, was assigned to the Stingrays in that year, his first game coinciding with club legend Shane Deitz’s final match for the club.
Since then, Hatchett has made Southern his cricket home away from home.
“One of my best mates is Patrick Jolly,” Hatchett said.
“When I first came out to the Stingrays I stayed with the Jolly family (Patrick’s father Harvey is a club legend of the club) which was brilliant.
“Every year I go home I can’t wait to come back.
“I fear one day I’m going to have to tell my mum that I’m going to live here which is probably not want she wants to hear.
“I’ve really enjoyed playing here and meeting the players but one regret I have was missing the club’s 2015-16 premiership.
“I played all year but had to go back during the finals and missed both matches.’’
Retired from cricket in England Hatchett is helping new Stingrays’ senior coach Carl Hooper with development and coaching programs.
Outside of cricket, Hatchett is involved in personal training and motivational speaking.
While Southern is enjoying a solid start to the season Hatchett says he will be available for the finals if Southern makes it – giving him a chance to grab that elusive flag.