TEEN TALENT STANDS TALL
TOOWOOMBA TEARAWAY DEBUTS IN BRISBANE
CRICKET: As far as presents go, they don’t come much better than this.
On his 17th birthday, Joseph Fry got the call up that would give the young man an incredible boost of confidence.
Fry was chosen to make his Brisbane First Grade debut for Western Suburbs in their round two encounter with South Brisbane.
After toiling away in the classroom at school, Fry returned home for a welcome surprise.
“I found out on the Thursday afternoon which was my birthday so that was pretty cool,” he said.
“By the time I got home I had a few missed calls and texts, so I was a bit mind blown and hadn’t processed it yet.
“The next day I wasn’t thinking about too much else really. It was amazing to see that text there – I wasn’t expecting it at all.”
The paceman would go on to bowl five overs and complete a run-out in his team’s four-wicket victory.
“It was good. I think I’ve picked a pretty good club in Brisbane,” he said.
“Everyone is really nice there and it’s a pretty closeknit group. Everyone looked after me which was good.
“I was a little bit nervy at the start but everyone was super encouraging.
“The goal is to try and play another game of first grade and play as many as I can, but if not I’ll aim to do my best in second grade to show the coaches what I can do.”
It continues a big climb for the Centenary Heights State School student, who has amassed an impressive representative resume at a young age.
It includes being chosen in the Queensland and Australian U15s squads, and Fry said he wants to take his cricket as far as he can.
“The ultimate goal is to play for Australia,” he said.
“The next thing for me is the Queensland U17s if Covid allows, and possibly the Australian team if that goes ahead.
“I’m just trying to play as much grade cricket as I can, get better and see where I go from there.”
Fry was a regular for University in the Toowoomba Agrade last season, including taking a hat-trick during a six-wicket haul in the Harding-Madsen Shield.
He said the opportunity to learn from some experienced players has helped his development as a player.
“It’s awesome for me and a good challenge,” he said.
“The chance to pick their brains about their cricket knowledge and playing against people with that experience, it challenges you and makes you get better.
“Everyone in Toowoomba Cricket has been really good about me as a younger guy playing senior cricket. They’ve been super welcoming and helpful.”