South Gambier young gun Jared Kuhl is the toast of the Limestone Coast cricket community after he was selected in the South Australian Under 15 squad last week.
The 14-year-old fast bowler will wear the iconic South Australian Cricket Association colours for the first time on Monday when the state side plays a warm-up fixture with St Peter’s College.
South Australia will play four one-day games against Adelaide school sides before the national tournament early next year.
Kuhl has achieved a lot in his short career but said this was his greatest opportunity so far.
“When I received the email late at night, I got pretty excited,” he said. “This is definitely the furthest I have gone with my cricket so far.”
The state berth caps off a successful year on the field for Kuhl despite the limited chances to play due to COVID-19.
Back in January, Kuhl played in the Cricket Victoria Super Series for Renegades Country after he impressed representing the Western Waves in the Youth Premier League.
Although he missed the cut for state selection in the Under 14 Victorian team, Kuhl learnt from his experience across the border and improved his skills over the winter.
His hard work led to breaking the barrier this summer to represent his home state.
SACA South East club and participation officer James Dunn has worked closely with Kuhl over the years and said his ability to learn quickly is his biggest strength.
“One of the most impressive things about Jared is if we pick up on something as a coach, he takes it on board and tries to work on that aspect,” Dunn said. “We can be really open and honest with him and he has done a lot of work on certain parts of his action and it has paid off.”
Kuhl said others describe him as a tall paceman, who extracts steep bounce from the pitch.
“If you ask anyone, they would describe me as quick for my age,” he said. “I am about six foot one, so I am quite tall and I do get quite a lot of bounce. “I like bowling quick and use it as my strength.
“Most of the time it works, but sometimes it does not and I have to change it a bit.” To be chosen in 16-player state side, Kuhl had to overcome a rigorous selection process over the coronavirus-interrupted off-season.
It kicked off with a winter trial in June before three internal trial matches against a squad of 32 players.
On top of that, selectors also analysed each player’s personality in addition to their on-field skills during trial and district cricket games.
Kuhl’s passion for the game began at an early age being the youngest of three boys in a cricket-loving family.
Older brothers Adam and Ryan also play senior cricket for the Demons and Jared said the family battles in the backyard made him the player he is today.
“I have two older brothers and I always looked up to them,” he said. “They started playing cricket when I was about five and my cousin was also an influence.
“Around lunch time we would go out and play in the backyard, but it would normally end up with my cousin or my big brother winning.
“Living on a farm we have plenty of space, so I have been able to do lots of bowling, running and gym work.” Kuhl started playing for the Demons in 2013-14 as a youngster filling in when called upon before stepping up full time two seasons later.
He made his A Grade debut as a 12-year-old in 2019 and has also played in representative competitions such as the Country Cup and Junior Redbacks League.
Kuhl has the ability to perform on the big stage and his best bowling figures of 5/17 occurred in an Under 16’s Premier Cricket match for Glenelg.
Although Kuhl prefers to stay behind the spotlight, with the chance of playing for his state on the horizon, he aims to take the opportunity with both hands.
“That is the ultimate goal (to make a name for himself) but I also just want to have fun and enjoy my cricket,” he said. “I really want to perform at state level because you never know where that could lead.
“I could move to a new school or team, so it is a big opportunity and I am very grateful for it. “I just want to keep working hard and take my cricket as far as I can.”
