Sturt District Cricket Club Teenage fast bowler makes an instant impact on his grade cricket A-grade debut
Fast bowling prodigy Harry Lemmey, who is just 15 years old, took two wickets in the first over of his A-grade cricket debut on Saturday ... but it could have been even better.
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When 15-year-old Sturt fast bowler Harry Lemmey took two wickets in the first over of his A grade debut on Saturday he was annoyed.
Because it should have been three.
Lemmey, who is among the Blues’ youngest ever grade cricket debutants, took wickets with his second and fourth balls against Northern Districts and then bowled a third batsman with his sixth.
But as the 198cm quick sent the last delivery down, his left hand brushed the other wicket and knocked the bails off.
A new by-law introduced this season meant it resulted in a no ball.
“I bowled him but I was pretty annoyed with myself. I felt it straight away and knew what had happened,” Lemmey, of Aberfoyle Park, says.
“My finger clipped the bail and it didn’t end too well I guess.
“To be honest, the reason it was annoying was because I knew I had that opportunity.
“But it was still a great start.”
Though the 2/1 haul in his opening over could have been 3/0 but Lemmey is content after finishing his six overs with 2/17.
The Blues have Northern in big trouble on 5/28 chasing 258 ahead of day two this Saturday.
“I was pretty nervous going into the match and was just trying to stay nice and calm,” Lemmey says.
“My first ball got smacked straight back at me and I thought ‘OK, I could be in for a tough six overs here’.
“The next ball was back of a length and got a nice nick straight to the keeper. I didn’t think it was out straight away but all the boys were up and the umpire raised his finger – that was a very good moment.
“It all went too quick almost, it was just surreal.”
At 15 years and 10 months old, Lemmey is believed to rank third in Sturt’s youngest debutants behind former Redback Alex Gregory (15 years, three months) and Harry Matthias (15 years four months), who made his A grade bow last season.
Lemmey’s rise in his first season the Blues’ senior ranks has been swift with just four B grade appearances before promotion to the A side.
Much like his physical growth.
The young quick is not even old enough to get his learner’s permits yet but towers at almost 200cm tall after shooting up “about 15cm” in the past year or two.
It’s part of the reason why he has been identified as a prodigious football talent, as well as cricket.
Lemmey featured in the Cricket Australia XI – a side of the countries best 15 year olds – at the under-17 national championships in Queensland in October.
There he was coached by former Aussie bowler Ryan Harris.
He says he is now focusing on making next year’s SA squad for the same tournament in his under-17 year along with more A grade appearances for Sturt.
But Lemmey’s winter passion is also hard to ignore.
The Flagstaff Hill Football Club junior and West Adelaide development squad member impressed as a ruckman for the state at the national under-15 football championships earlier this year.
He will also move schools from Blackwood High after receiving a scholarship at Scotch College for next year.
But Lemmey isn’t thinking about choosing between the cricket and footy just yet.
“To be honest, I’m trying to play the highest level as possible in both and keep doing that as long as possible,”
Sturt coach Ben Cameron, who describes the feeling at Price Memorial Oval during Lemmey’s debut over as “euphoric”, hopes he continues to further his journey in both sports.
“He’s a prodigious talent with what he’s been showing everyone particularly yesterday (Saturday),” Cameron said.
“The boys were fired up and he thoroughly enjoyed the day.
“At the moment I think he’s just on his sporting journey.
“I’d like to think football gives him the respect he deserves, doesn’t put any pressure on him and just let the kid work it out for himself over the next 18 months to two years.”