KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY:
IAN HEALY’S SON MAY STEP UP
A QUEENSLAND wicketkeeper caught in a queue. An injury. A halfopened door. Sound familiar?
This was the story behind the rise of Australia’s team-ofthe-century gloveman Ian Healy in the 1980s — and 30 years later the same theme is echoing through Queensland cricket with the emergence of his son Tom.
Healy Jr was an Australian under-19 gloveman who plays at his father’s club Norths at a ground named after Ian, who surged into Test cricket with just seven first-class games’ experience after being called up for Queensland when the respected Peter Anderson broke a finger.
With regular keeper Jimmy Peirson out with a severe hamstring injury, 21-year-old Healy — who scored a century for Norths in last season’s grade final — is in the mix behind the more experienced Lachie Pfeffer for a start in next month’s interstate 50over competition.
“I have had a little bit more exposure since [Peirson’s injury] but I am still down in the ranks I believe and that is fair enough,’’ Tom said. “He [Pfeffer] has earnt his spot.
“The way one-day cricket is going he has some really good skills with the bat and so I think he is the No.1 option. But it is a small opportunity. You start the season well and see what happens.’’
Hardworking and easy to talk to, Tom is a similar style of youngster Ian was all those years ago. Father-son sporting relationships have been known to blow hot, cold and all temperatures in between but the Healys are a solid unit.
“Queensland coach Wade Seccombe asked me how I got along with dad because a lot of sons don’t listen to them, but we have a really strong relationship,’’ Tom said.
“He’s not always my first port of call but we will have a session every couple of weeks.
“I was three when dad retired. I have seen a few tapes and realised everything he talks to me about he actually did so that resonated strongly. To live under the same roof as my old man has been great for my cricket and for me as a person. He will sometimes give me the old ‘mate, if you are fair dinkum you better pull your finger out’.’’
Ian has been impressed by his son’s dedication but knows well the patient game he is playing. “The good thing is he knows his game and that will stand him in good stead if he goes the extra step,’’ Ian said.