Already devouring English bowling attacks at age 18, Jake Doran is certainly one to keep an eye on.
As a 17-year-old Doran was the leading run scorer for his country in the under 19 World Cup campaign, scoring 249 runs from five matches at an average of 83.
During the 2014-15 sesason he broke Doug Walters’ record as the youngest ever to debut in NSW’s second XI.
The wicketkeeper-batsman has played against England and Indian touring sides as part of a Cricket Australia XI, as well as a Big Bash League match for the Sydney Thunder, holding his own each time.
In the under 19 Australia vs England series he recorded two centuries and an innings of 82.
Hailing from Fairfield, his older brother Luke Doran has played three list A games, had 15 Big Bash appearances, and was a member of the victorious under 19 Australian World Cup team in 2010 – members of this squad included Nic Maddinson, Mitchell Marsh, Kane Richardson and Josh Hazlewood.
In recent years Jake has had to juggle school, just finishing at Hill Sports high school, with his ever-growing cricket commitments.
Greg Chappell was quoted as saying, “It’s not to say Jake is an exact replica of Mike Hussey but there are certain traits they share.”
Chris Rogers has also weighed in, stating that he possesses similar characteristics to England’s Andrew Strauss and that “Jake is ready for Shield cricket right now.”
As such, Doran has decided to pack his bags and move to Tasmania for a crack at Sheffield Shield.
The major persuasion from Tasmania in the two-year deal was the opportunity to play regular senior cricket instead of being stuck down in the pecking order back at New South Wales.
The challenge will be to continue to nurture and develop this precocious talent. Without yet having played a Sheffield Shield game there will always be doubters, but Doran could perhaps be thrown in the deep end sooner rather than later.
Of course Australia is in a rich vein of form at the moment, but with several players nearing the ends of their careers opportunities are becoming more apparent.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Not necessarily. I'm basically saying that we should just take the pressure off him and let him actually play some first class cricket before we start writing pieces about him playing test cricket for Australia. But I'm certainly not ruling out that he could. Phil Hughes was only 20 when he first played test cricket. He did that on the back of a cracking start to his first class career where he was averaging about 55 or so at the time he was first picked. If he's able to have a Phil Hughes start to his first class career, then he could be at the right place at the right time to make a similarly young test debut. But there are so many if's in that for a player yet to play a first class match, that writing stories like this about him now seems premature. In Clarke and Voges we'll almost certainly be having a couple of middle order batting spots open up in the next 1-3 years. If he's good enough, he could put himself in the mix at that time. But until he's actually played some first class cricket we can't know if he's someone who'll step up and be an instant hit, like Phil Hughes, or someone who'll struggle to ever make the same impact he made at under age level, like Moises Henriques.
Armchair Expert
Guest
Agreed Chris, I think his best chance to play test cricket in 5-10 years would be as a keeper/batsman.
CW
Guest
Tough act to follow one of the greats and your father. Warne and McGrath's sons are doing some good things in junior cricket as well as Austin.
CW
Guest
I was looking for English figures thanks Liam. The author said Doran was "devouring English bowling attacks". Where. How. Who? Details.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Not saying he isn't good. But to be constantly trumpeting a player as one of the future great test cricketers before he's played a first class game is a lot of pressure to put on a kid. He may come out and play shield cricket this year and smash everyone, or he may struggle to get a run for years and just not be able to make the step up. Until he gets out there and does it we simply won't know. It's a lot of pressure to put on the kid to have so many people constantly looking to him to almost be the saviour of Australia's test batting lineup at such an early stage.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Agreed Ronan. It's also a lot of pressure to pile on the kid. We've seen many, many kids come out of the under-age scene where they've done well and struggle to follow it up in the senior cricket. Leave him alone and let him play and if he does well at senior level then we can start talking about him. I actually think that the CA process that has kids like this playing so much under-age cricket they rarely play senior cricket is detrimental too. i never got anywhere near a rep team, but i've played senior cricket against U-17 rep players and seen them really struggle even playing lowish level senior cricket. If these young batsmen are so good, get them playing senior cricket against the men as 14-15 year olds and make sure they get plenty such games so that by the time they are 18-19 they aren't dropping into senior grade cricket for the first time having always played only against other kids their own age.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
You expect England's u-19 bowlers to be better than those in sydney grade cricket? Can't agree on that. Most 17/18yo bowlers have a looong way to go...
Quitwhinging
Guest
I think blasting England's under 19 bowlers are a good sign, considering you would expect them to be better then what you would find in Sydney grade cricket
Nudge
Guest
Yeah, and Ricky Ponting before that. Their are wraps on him for a reason. Making an Australian under 19 team when your 17 is a big effort, to be the leading run scorer at a great average, means you've got something pretty good.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
It's bizarre that he gets such write-ups. The only place he has performed is in U19 cricket. He didn't set the world alight in Sydney grade cricket. It reminds me of the fuss round Mitch Marsh a few years ago.
JGK
Roar Guru
Speaking of hype, this could get interesting if young Austin turns out to be any good. http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/austin-waugh-picked-for-australian-under-16-team-following-in-dad-steves-footsteps/story-e6frf3g3-1227406999155
hubert smith
Roar Rookie
http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/333785.html here you go, he also took 3-32 in the final
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
I've never seen so much hype for a player yet to even play Shield or List A cricket - we've been reading about this kid for nearly 2 years now. Let's see how he fares for Tas this summer (if he gets a game) before getting too giddy.
Nudge
Guest
Has anyone checked his background to make sure he hasn't got any relatives that were born in England in the early 1900's ?
CW
Guest
Jake Doran is yet another good young cricketer allowed to leave this state (NSW). In recent years,there has been an exodus of batsmen and bowlers that have made other states their homes. The list would make a pretty decent side at any level of cricket. Among the large group are Usman Kawaja, Dan Christian, Pete Forrest, Jackson Bird, Joe Mennie and sadly Phil Hughes. Another, Ed Cowan has returned to his roots for the remainder of his career.
CW
Guest
Is the author certain of his facts. Did Luke Doran play in the victorious U19 world cup side in 2010?. Sure you are not confusing him with Adam Zampa? I stand corrected if in fact you are right. Two players that announced themselves in that tournament were Mitch Marsh and Josh Hazlewood. Big Josh led the attack beautifully with Kane Richardson and the forgotten Alister McDermott. Mitch Marsh played some powerful innings. You say young Doran is" devouring English attacks". Would have liked to see some accompanying figures. Who is he playing for?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Doran will represent his country one day, there is no doubting that. As long as he has the correct time to mature in each level of cricket throughout his progression. However in saying that it needs to start with Shield cricket this season.