Austin pads up to chase cricket dream
Rockhampton's Austin Kasprowicz is a little cricketer chasing a big dream. He hopes to emulate his uncle Michael and play for Australia.
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CRICKET: Rockhampton's Austin Kasprowicz is a little cricketer chasing a big dream.
He hopes to emulate his uncle Michael Kasprowicz and play for Australia.
While his relation made his mark on the cricketing stage as a right-arm paceman, bagging a total of 944 first-class wickets in his career, young Austin is emerging as a right-hand batsman of some renown.
His dad Adam was also on the verge of higher honours in the game when stress fractures in his back forced his premature retirement.
He was in the Queensland under-18 cricket side when the injury struck and Austin often walks around the house sporting dad's baggy maroon cap and visualising his next stint at the crease.
He loves every form of the game but really enjoys the big-hitting action of the Big Bash League, sitting transfixed in front of the television every night it is on.
He eagerly voices his support for his team, the Brisbane Heat, and likes nothing more than to watch his idol Chris Lynn in full flight.
Austin got to work on his game at the Junior Heat Clinic held at the Rockhampton Grammar School last week.
He was among 55 youngsters from across Central Queensland who got to work with specialist coaches from Queensland Cricket and got to meet Heat players Luke Feldman and Courtney Hill.
Austin said it was a wonderful experience and he took a lot away from the clinic. He also got to fine-tune the mastery behind his favourite shot, the hook.
"It was fun learning new techniques with both the bat and the ball,” he said.
"We did all different activities but hitting sixes was the best part.
"It's the first time I've been to a clinic like that and I would love to go again.”
Austin has played his three years of cricket with the Parkana club. He is looking forward to lining up for the T20 competition that is being introduced in the under-12 age group of the Rocky comp this season.
"The local competition starts again next Saturday and I'm really excited to be playing T20,” he said.
"I love the Big Bash and watch it all the time, every night. It's fast and fun to watch.”
Austin has played rep cricket for Rockhampton and his next goal is to make the Central Queensland side.
He practices every Monday with his club side and during the school holidays has been working in the nets with his dad Adam.
Austin is daring to dream big and he would love to realise his Australian dream with cousin Ed (Michael's son and a talented bowler) beside him.
Austin's mum Cathy explains that the two boys share a healthy rivalry and love to compare their cricketing achievements.
"The boys are the same age and they are both pretty competitive,” she said.
"They both love it and that would be their ultimate goal - to play cricket together in the Australian team.”
Originally published as Austin pads up to chase cricket dream
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