Zac Curtain’s gritty comeback propels Kingborough to CTPL grand final

One of Tasmania’s most promising cricketers has opened up on his five-month injury layoff to being a finals hero. This is the story of Zac Curtain’s rollercoaster summer.

One of Australia’s most promising cricketers has shown the mental capacity to bat in the toughest conditions to get his side into the CTPL grand final just months after being sidelined from a horrible injury.

Zac Curtain, 19, tore ligaments in his wrist in September during the Australian under-19s tour of India which kept him out for five months.

“It was on the final day of a day four match, I dove for it the ball and landed awkwardly,” Curtain said.

“I stayed on and didn’t think much of it but over the next few days I realised that it was no good.

“I got scans and then came back and spent four months out.”

But he has made up for lost time since returning for Kingborough and holding on for a draw against New Town to earn the spot in the grand final starting this Friday.

Curtain spent all day Saturday keeping behind the stumps for 89.1 overs before batting for majority of Sunday, battling a fierce and upbeat New Town attack that were just one wicket away from victory.

The 19-year-old finished on 55 not out off 235 balls showing grit and value for his wicket, something Martyn said you don’t see much of these days.

“I was pretty tired especially only being my fifth game for the season,” Curtain said.

“Legs were pretty tired but I knew going into that innings it was going to be tough and that the boys needed either a win or to get through the day.

Kingborough wicketkeeper-batsman Zac Curtain battled through tough conditions to earn his team a spot in the CTPL grand final. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“They were giving me a bit of stick, not scoring as much it would have been pretty embarrassing had I got out right at the end there, so they were letting me know about that.

“They were letting me know how many points we had this season and how embarrassing it would have been if we lost to a team with only 50 points.”

Together, Kingborough looked like they were going to battle out the day comfortably, only needing a draw to win a spot in the final thanks to finishing top of the ladder.

When Martyn fell for 51, momentum shifted back to New Town who then picked up the eighth and nine wicket inside 40 runs and inside 15 overs.

Curtain came in at 2-42 in the 12th over just on the brink of the drinks break and knuckled down for the next six hours to bat his side into a grand final.

James Scott was the ninth wicket to fall with just seven balls to spare in the day.

“I was a bit worried, our number 11 Cammy (Cameron Walter) hasn’t batted a whole lot this season,” Curtain said.

“He worries a little bit when he bats and I knew he was only ever going to have to face one ball, just hoping that whatever ball he got he was able to keep it out.

“Not having any wickets in hand it does put a lot of pressure on myself as well going into the last over I was a bit worried but it was good.

“You gotta enjoy the pressure.”

His first game back from injury was against SHSB in a two-day victory in early February.

Curtain was also selected in the Tasmanian Second XI to take on South Australia in last month scoring 65 in the second innings.

Kingborough playing-coach Thomas Martyn praised the wicketkeeper-batsman for his heroics to keep their season alive.

“Not many 19-year-old kids do that against the toughest of conditions of a good bowling attack,” Martyn said.

“It is a really good sign for Zac moving forward and for the cricket club to have someone who can perform like that.

Kingborough wicketkeeper-batsman Zac Curtain battled through tough conditions to earn his team a spot in the CTPL grand final. Picture: Linda Higginson

“Stoked for Zac and hopefully for him it is onwards and upwards from here.”

Kingborough will play University in the CTPL three day final starting on Friday against University.

Originally published as Zac Curtain’s gritty comeback propels Kingborough to CTPL grand final