BBL/10: NSW Premier Cricket, Sydney Sixers gun Hayden Kerr’s connection with Don Bradman

Growing up Hayden Kerr would wake up, look out his window and think of Don Bradman. Now he’s living his own cricket dream.

Hayden Kerr during his impressive Sheffield Shield debut for the NSW Blues.

Every day growing up Hayden Kerr would wake up, look out his window and think of Don Bradman, his feats, his history and his prowess.

Kerr not only grew up being able to see Don Bradman Oval from his bedroom but also lived on the same street as the Australian and international cricket great.

And while this played a big part in firing his passion for the game, there was also another reason the now 25-year-old spent so many hours playing and practising it as a kid.

Hayden Kerr in his debut for NSW.

“I grew up in Bowral, living on the same street as Donald Bradman, and I could see the ground from my room,’’ said Kerr ahead of the opening matches of the BBL this weekend.

“We were in awe of it. It’s something that is special back home. Not everyone in Bowral grows up to be like Don Bradman but it’s still a big thing.

“I played different winter sports, golf, hockey and football, but I wasn’t ever that good.

“So year round I played cricket. It was one of the only things I was good at as a youngster.”

All-rounder Kerr is close with fellow Bowral product Lauren Cheatle and best friends with her brother Oliver.

“We all grew up playing backyard cricket daily,’’ he said. “We were always there or in the nets.’’

Hayden Kerr in action for the Sixers in the Big Bash League in late 2019.

Now based at Botany and playing for Sydney University in NSW Premier Cricket, Kerr has started the 2021/22 season in fine form.

Late last month, Kerr, a 2019/20 Bill O’Reilly medallist as the best and fairest player in Sydney first grade, made his Blues debut against Victoria in the Marsh Sheffield Shield.

The right-handed batsmen produced a vital 37 run stand with opening Daniel Hughes for his memorable debut.

“Hopefully my form carries me into the BBL fixture on Sunday,” he said.

“I just want to cement myself in those squads) Sixers and NSW) and set myself up for the following season. It’s important I do well this season for a contract.’’

The Sydney Sixers play the Melbourne Stars on Sunday at the SCG.

Hayden Kerr celebrates with his team after taking the wicket of Victorian Xavier Crone on day three of the Sheffield Shield match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

SYDNEY SIXERS BBL SQUAD

Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Dan Christian, Tom Curran, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mickey Edwards, Moises Henriques (c), Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Nathan Lyon, Ben Manenti, Josh Philippe, Lloyd Pope, Jordan Silk, James Vince, Steve O’Keefe, Chris Jordan (five-match contract, starting December 5).

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