Kensington teenager Tom van der Jeugd to play in grand final in just his third game

Kensington teenager Tom van der Jeugd is set to play in SACA Premier Cricket grand final in just his third game in this week’s Over the Pickets column.

Teenage Kensington wicketkeeper Tom van der Jeugd. He is about to play in a SACA first-grade grand final in just his third senior match. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

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Three weeks ago, teenager Tom van der Jeugd was third in line in the Kensington wicketkeeping pecking order and hoping to feature in the club’s second-grade finals campaign.

Now — in a meteoric rise — he is the Browns No. 1 gloveman and this weekend will keep to Redbacks bowlers Elliot Opie, David Grant and Lloyd Pope in the SACA Premier Cricket first-grade grand final against Adelaide.

“It’s been a pretty amazing couple of weeks, a bit of a whirlwind,’’ the 18-year-old said.

“Things have happened quickly for me but it's been exciting, a dream come true.’’

A State under-12 and under-17 wicketkeeper, van der Jeugd was sitting behind Englishman Robbie White and 2017-18 under-19 State ‘keeper Lucas Froude at the turn of the month.

But when White was summoned by new Middlesex coach, former Australian Test batsman Stuart Law, to return to England at the end of February for pre-season training and van der Jeugd made a timely century in second-grade, things changed dramatically.

The teenager was called up for his first-grade debut for the final minor round series against West Torrens at Parkinson Oval and performed well, making a handy 14 from 49 balls with the bat, taking a maiden catch and keeping cleanly.

He retained his spot for the knockout semi-final against Adelaide University on the weekend and made such a valuable batting contribution that veteran Kensington skipper Jake Brown said his club would not have advanced to the grand final without him.

“If Tom hadn’t batted so well we would have lost, 100 per cent,’’ said Brown, who is hoping to lead One-Day Cup winner Kensington to its first two-day premiership since 2010-11.

“If he’d got out early we probably would have been skittled for about 170 and that would not have been enough. Uni would have got those runs.’’

In just his second first-grade game, van der Jeugd came to the crease with minor premier Kensington in serious trouble at 6/158.

When Opie fell soon after, the flag favourite had slumped from a solid 1/90 to a precarious 7/159.

Batting at No. 8, van der Jeugd made a modest 21 but faced 102 deliveries and featured in a match-defining 44-run, eighth-wicket partnership with Grant, who made 34 from 139 balls.

They helped the Browns make a defendable 251 on a slow outfield — a task Uni found beyond it, being bowled out for 210, despite a quickfire 57 from Redbacks opener Jake Weatherald.

“Tom has been fantastic for us, it’s a great story,’’ said Brown.

“Losing Robbie on the eve of the finals was a big blow because he’d had a great season, averaging 53 with the bat (in the two-day competition) and making an unbeaten 75 in the one-day final.

“But Tom earned his spot with a terrific hundred in the twos (against Southern District) while keeping and training really well.
“He’s put the time into his game and been rewarded with a great opportunity and he’s taken it with both hands.’’

Fresh out of St Ignatius College, van der Jeugd — who will be the youngest player in the grand final, to be held at Glenelg Oval — said the nerves had started to click in but that he wasn’t fazed by the big occasion.

“I've been lucky enough to train and play with experienced Redbacks players at Kensington and I’ve learnt so much from watching the way they go about things, which I think has held me in good stead,’’ he said.

“I’m proud that I’ve earned my spot and not just parachuted into the team and hopefully I can do what I need to do to help the team win this weekend.’’