Zanden and Sierra Jeh had stunning starts to cricket - and its is proven to be no fluke

Valley District Cricket Club siblings Zanden and Sierra Jeh both had stunning starts to their respective cricket careers, but their early success has proven to be no fluke. Andrew Dawson reports.

It took just a single delivery bowled by both Zanden and Sierra Jeh to confirm what their father Michael had suspected – his children were born to be cricketers.

Years ago Zanden, playing for the Ferny Districts Cricket Club under 8s, took a hat-trick with the first three balls of his life. “I was bowling left arm and I just happened to bowl these guys – a bit of a fluke,’’ Zanden said.

“I remember just walking back to my mark and not thinking too much of it. I don’t think I understood what a hat trick was.’’

CLAYTON BROTHERS BACKYARD BATTLES HONED SKILLS

Then when Sierra made her first-grade debut for Valley last September aged 14, she took a wicket with her first ball.

Sierra Jeh is an outstanding fast bowler.

Sierra had been called into the senior team and late in the game her captain informed her to get ready for a bowl.

“I was really nervous. The only thing I was hoping was that I did not bowl a wide,’’ Sierra said.

“I got the wicket and everyone came around me and starting hugging me. It was a really good experience.’’

Zanden was working in the canteen at Valley when he heard the commotion sparked by Sierra’s wicket.

“I looked up late after she had bowled her. I heard a cheer go up.’’

Zanden’s top grade debut, also for Valley, was ironically the day before on the same weekend as his younger sister and was no less dramatic.

The 16-year-old captured 4-24 bowling left arm orthodox spin in a man of the match performance.

Zanden Jeh celebrates taking the wicket of Brendan Smith of Wests in the Premier grade T20 final at the Allan Border Field. (AAP Image/ Regi Varghese)

“My debut year was a whirlwind for me,’’ said Zanden, who, along with his sister, attends Ferny Grove SHS.

“It (his debut) was a surreal moment. It was incredible.

“I was replaying it over in my head, getting my cap and going out with the lads, and to have it happen so quickly was surreal.

“I remember last season they made a T20 final and I thought how cool would it be to be out there with them.

“I am looking to try and play as much Premier cricket as possible and play my role for the team, keep the runs low and take as many wickets as possible and hopefully go on and see if we can win a few more premierships this year,’’ Zanden said.

Zanden Jeh delivers the ball. (AAP Image/ Regi Varghese)

Zanden is the oldest of three children, with Sierra, now aged 15, the middle child and young Saxon, 14, bringing up the rear.

Initially the backyard cricket skirmishes were dominated by the boys – dad Michael, Zanden and Saxon.

“I grew up with my whole family, my dad and two brothers, always playing in the backyard,’’ Sierra said. “I was always the fielder.

“Then one day, three years ago, dad asked me as a joke did I want to play and I said yes.

“He was a bit surprised and I thought why not.

“It started from there so I started playing little girls cricket at Valley and it took off from there.

“I got better, it was really fun and I just continued.

“As we started to develop my bowling technique a bit more, I realised I was bowling faster than the other girls.

“When I measured my bowling I was bowling at 90kpm.

“The last time I measured myself (in May) it was 107kpm.’’

The Jeh children Sierra, Zanden and Saxon.

Indeed she can be a handful for Zanden in the nets. “She is cheeky, she bounces me in the nets a bit. I must have annoyed her sometime in the house,’’ he joked.

Sierra added: “I always practice my bouncers with him because he stands out of his crease a lot because my pace.

“I remember I bowled a bouncer which missed his head by an inch which was funny.’’

Sierra said Zanden was also a big help in developing her batting. “He is always giving me drills in nets,’’ she said.

Zanden Jeh flights the ball. (AAP Image/ Regi Varghese)

In fact Zanden said all three children, who are Queensland under age representatives, helped each other with their games.

“Our little brother loves it just as much as we do,’’ Zanden said.

“He is a few years younger than me but he is old enough and skilled enough to compete. He joins me going for a run or going to the nets.’’

It is a real family affair at Valley and at the Ferny Districts Cricket Club nets, with dad Michael often joining in training.

Michael is a former first-class cricketer for Oxford University and the MCC, as well as being an overseas professional at various clubs in England and a first grade player at Valley.

“So cricket’s been in our blood since I was a child, weaned on cricket as a baby in Sri Lanka,’’ Michael explained.

As a result you only need one guess to know what dominates conversation in the Jeh household.

The topic of cricket not surprisingly comes up “all the time’’.

DOOLEY SIBLINGS SHINE FOR WESTS

“Whenever there is a cricket game is on TV we sit down and watch and talk about tactics, discuss how the players conduct themselves,’ Sierra said.

“And after every game we play, on the way back home or over dinner we chat about what we did, what we can improve upon.’’

Zanden added: “It is what makes us who we are – cricket is a base for conversation, jokes. It is a big part of our lives.’’