‘It was a weird feeling’: Mackay cricketers Law, Kohler recall opportunity of a lifetime

Mason Kohler and Jack Law had the opportunity of a lifetime when they got to play alongside the likes of Nathan McSweeney and Brendan Doggett for Australia A. This is how they did it.

Mackay young gun Jack Law had the opportunity of a lifetime when he featured for Australia A against India A at the Great Barrier Reef Arena. Picture: Mitch Turner

Two local Mackay cricketers have had the experience of a lifetime when they suited up for Australia A in its tour match against India A.

Mason Kohler and Jack Law had the chance to rub shoulders with some of the best cricketers the country has to offer when they were both named as emergency fielders for last week’s game at the Great Barrier Reef Arena.

Kohler, 27, and Law, 15, are both quality players in their own right, playing local first grade for Pioneer Valley and Brothers respectively while also representing Mackay-Whitsunday at a number of interleague competitions.

“It was a great opportunity to spend the four days with them and kind of see how they go about it and how it compares to what we do as a club and rep cricket,” Kohler said.
The pair spent the majority of the time on the sidelines helping to carry water to both batters and fielders from the Aussie team, but were also each afforded the chance to act as substitute fielders for several overs each.

Pioneer Valley bowler Mason Kohler had the opportunity of a lifetime when he featured for Australia A against India A at the Great Barrier Reef Arena.

“It was a weird feeling, you’re obviously not familiar with these cricketers, and you’re a stranger in that environment. But they do 100% make you feel welcome and that you’re apart of it all,” he said.

“It even felt different to be kitted up in whites rather than colours since we only play white ball cricket here.”

Law said it was an “awesome opportunity” to be a part of.

“Cricket Australia went to mum via text and asked if I wanted to be part of the team. As soon as mum told me I said ‘say yes to that straight away’ I was pretty excited,” he said.

“It was good to see just how hard you have to work to get to that level, their skills and everything about them, it was inspiring.

“On the Wednesday before the match we watched them train in the nets, and being part of the warm-ups before each days play was pretty amazing.”

Nathan McSweeney was one of the Australia A cricketers that Law and Kohler had a chance to rub shoulders with. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Law said he was “nervous” when he first ran out to field for the side.

“I was definitely nervous of a catch coming my way, but it was an awesome experience to be a part of with the crowd and everything,” he said.

“The Aussies were really welcoming, they came up to me and asked how I go at club cricket and stuff, especially the batters.

“I got to have a really good chat with Sam Konstas, he’s only 19 himself so I was able to chat to him about his schooling and he was very good with that. I also asked him about my batting and he gave me a few tips.”

As for Kohler, he said he found himself getting along with the bowling contingent given that’s the skillset he specialises in himself.

“I walked drinks around the boundary to the bowlers in the outfield, I got to hear their point of view in terms of how they try to set batsmen up and take wickets,” he said.

“It was good to ask them questions about it, I got on really well with all the bowlers since we shared that commonality.

“Nathan McAndrew was pretty cool, he was really accessible since he wasn’t playing in this particular match. I also got to chat to Brendan Doggett who I’ve met before in some of the Queensland setups.”

Law said the whole experience has given him some extra motivation to keep working hard at his own cricket and one day reach that level.

“Just watching them in the nets, looking at how they do it, it’s made me want to take those lessons and apply them to my own game so I can get better.”

Originally published as ‘It was a weird feeling’: Mackay cricketers Law, Kohler recall opportunity of a lifetime