Teenager Mackenzie Harvey making mark for Melbourne Renegades as higher honours beckon

Mackenzie Harvey only turned 18 in September, but the youngest player in the Big Bash has shown enough from two innings that fans won’t be forgetting the nephew of former Aussie all-rounder Ian Harvey any time soon, Eliza Sewell writes.

At just 18, Mackenzie Harvey is already making a big impression at the top of the order for the Melbourne Renegades. Picture: AAP

Don’t forget about that Harvey kid.

It’s what national performance head coach Troy Cooley said as he listed off the players who are the future of Australian cricket.

Mackenzie Harvey only turned 18 in September, but the youngest player in the Big Bash has shown enough from two Renegades innings that fans won’t be forgetting the spritely batting prospect any time soon.

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At just 18, Mackenzie Harvey is already making a big impression at the top of the order for the Melbourne Renegades. Picture: AAP

Last night before the sun began to set over the MCG, Harvey strode to the crease alongside his mate, 22-year-old Sam Harper, to open for Team Red.

The nephew of former Australian player Ian Harvey looked confident and comfortable.

He shared the strike well with Harper — playing an important cameo of 21 runs off 14 balls as Harper took charge. The pair added 52 runs in the first five overs.

They ran between the stumps like the youth they are.

Harvey played beautifully square of the wicket. A nice cut shot for two and then moments later he split the field, cutting backward of point to the boundary.

The pint-sized left-hander clunked a Scott Boland fastball, lofting a drive for four.

Mackenzie Harvey, Will Sutherland, Zak Evans have joined the Melbourne Renegades

It took a terrific catch by Glenn Maxwell, running back at mid on, to dismiss him.

He was the support act to Harper (30 off 16), but the teen they call “Macca” won’t be for long.

“Don’t you forget about him, he’s one of the younger boys … he is a good young man,” Cooley told the Herald Sun earlier this summer.

“I know Victoria hold him high in their pecking order and I know from a national talent system, he’s held in high regard as well.

“He’s got a World Cup coming up at under-19 level and he’s already played on the big stage and showed he’s got plenty of upside so he’s got a great opportunity to get in there and also be a star of the future.

“He’s a nice little attacking batter … an exciting young man.”

Former Aussie all-rounder Ian Harvey is Mackenzie’s uncle. Picture: Brett Costello

This is one of the reasons they called Ian Harvey ‘The Freak’. Picture: Phil Hillyard

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