Gold Coast cricketer Adam Davis has made his own turf wicket in the backyard

Adam Davis’ domination on the turf wickets of the Gold Coast should come as no surprise, considering how much time he spends on them. Discover what makes the keen curator and opening batsman tick and where every junior cricketer ranks on the Gold Coast.

ADAM Davis’ domination on the turf wickets of the Gold Coast should come as no surprise, considering how much time he spends on them.

The 13-year-old has such love for the art of sculpting high-end pitches that he is already eyeing a career in curating should he not reach the pinnacle of cricket and has built a wicket in his own backyard.

Every Coast cricketer ranked for 2021-22 season: Batting and bowling

But he may not need to pursue his back-up plan if he continues his current trajectory.

The Broadbeach Robina under-14s player amassed a total of 257 runs at an average of 51.40 through the 2021-22 cricket season to be among the best junior performers across the entire Gold Coast.

Under-14 cricket player Adam Davis loves the sport so much he has built his own turf wicket in the backyard at his Burleigh Waters home after funding his own roller and nets. Picture Glenn Hampson

Like many great players before him, Davis’ success has come on the back of a game forged in the backyard. But while some practice on cracked driveways or sloped yards, Davis has crafted himself a turf wicket.

The opening batsman spent 12 months mowing the lawns of neighbours to save up for a cylinder mower worth thousands of dollars, brought in the black clay from Ipswich that the best groundsman in Queensland use and spent countless hours creating his own slice of paradise surrounded by netting in his family yard in Burleigh.

“His passion for cricket is matched by his love of curating,” Adam’s father, Rohan Davis, said.

Adam Davis making a turf wicket in his backyard.

“If he doesn’t play cricket for a living his heart is set on being a groundsman. The club has been really good with him. He asked to use the club’s nets so much they gave us the keys and people message us to ask if he is going to do a session so they can come along.”

The All Saints Anglican School student is a cricket tragic. Not far from the framed image of former Australian captain Steve Waugh hitting a last ball century at the Sydney Cricket Ground on the wall of his room is a vision board where he has placed his goals: Making a representative team and to be captain of it.

He did both this season, representing the Gold Coast while also captaining his club side, choosing the bowlers and field positions at a time when most players his age let the coaches do it.

He is savvy with statistics and while he won’t sit and watch a game of Twenty20, he loves Test cricket and has done multiple trips to the Gabba in Brisbane to watch the likes of the Ashes.

While Twenty20 cricket may not draw his attention, it was the short form of the game that Davis was first exposed to. Before long he was walking out to bat in the frontyard with AC/DC’s Thunderstruck blaring from speakers on the letterbox.

Adam Davis watching the cricket at the Gabba.

“He was six at the time and our old neighbours still joke about it and ask us if he is playing for Australia yet,” Rohan Davis said.

On the pitch, Davis shuffles around his equipment like his idol Marnus Labuschagne and while he doesn’t have the same exaggerated motions when he leaves a ball, his communication between himself and his batting partner are just as loud.

Rohan has been the proud observer of Davis, who has already had to learn resilience early in his junior career.

“Not everything has come easy. He didn’t have the greatest week at rep cricket last time out and he handled it really well as captain,” he said.

“The first year he tried out for the rep side he was 12 and made the squad of 30 but not the squad of 24. The next year he was straight in the A-team and the captain the year after that.

“We are proud of him because he has earnt everything through his dedication and the hard work he has put in.”

Adam Davis playing in the front yard.

Every Coast cricketer ranked for 2021-22 season: Batting and bowling