Grafton junior cricketer Aidan Cahill in Indian Premier League auction

An 18-year old Grafton junior has entered the Indian Premier League auction despite having never played first class or T20 cricket. It could prove to be a stroke of genius.

Former Grafton junior Aidan Cahill celebrates taking a wicket against Pakistan during the U19 Men's Cricket World in the West Indies late last month. Picture: Getty Images

A few months ago Aidan Cahill was leading the bowling attack for Newcastle City Cricket Club.

In a few days time, his career could break through the stratosphere when he enters the Indian Premier League T20 auction as one of the youngest and most inexperienced players.

Cahill, 18, isn’t known to many cricket fans, but his shot for stardom doesn’t come as a surprise to Grafton or Hunter locals who know him best.

He was lining up as an all-rounder for the premier men’s division for Westlawn Cricket Club four years ago.

Aidan Cahill in action for Westlawn when he lived in Grafton in 2017.

The youngster was knocking over experienced adults and hitting sixes in the first grade side when he was just 14.

If he was punching above his weight then, it seems that he hasn’t stopped throwing haymakers.

His short career has been defined by taking risks and his nomination for the auction has paid off so far.

He made the cut to get his name on the 590-man list after 1214 players nominated.

Former Grafton junior Aidan Cahill plays a shot during the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup. Picture: Getty Images

There’s only one concern, he has never played a T20, List A or First Class cricket match in his life.

While that might be a reason to write the youngster off, his Westlawn junior coach James Shipman says you can never write off a kid who has outperformed others his whole life.

“He will probably go on to play for Australia,” Shipman said.

“He was smashing first graders around and in under 14 was already bowling 120km/h.”

Shipman remembered one game he said defined Cahill’s incredible prospects as a future star.

Aidan Cahill of Australia celebrates the wicket of Abdul Faseeh of Pakistan during the ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup. Picture: Getty Images

When he was just 12, playing in the under 12’s in South Grafton, he went out to bat, much to the disappointment of his opponents, who didn’t want to bowl to the big-hitter.

There was retirement rule in place meaning once a player hit 35 runs they had to retire.

Cahill was at the crease for seven balls before he had to walk back to the dugout having smashed his opponents for 35 runs in less than 10 minutes.

Fast forward to 2022 and Cahill has just returned from Australia’s third-placed finish at the Under-19 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies.

The 18-year old starred for Australia taking three wickets and racking up almost 100 runs as a middle-order batsman.

If there are question marks over his ability to perform in a 20-over game, his efforts against Scotland provide the strongest answer.

He took two wickets in five overs and came in as third batsman to score 72 runs off just 45 balls including seven fours and four sixes.

As for chasing the big bucks in the IPL, Cahill is in the lowest bracket for the auction meaning his first ever full-time professional contract would pocket him $38,000.