Joel Tilbrook became the youngest West Torrens District Cricket debutant in more than 80 years last weekend, reviving memories of the legendary Ron Hamence, one of Bradman’s Invincibles.
At 15 years and 109 days, Tilbrook is the second youngest player in the club’s long and illustrious history.
On December 20, 1930, Hamence became the youngest Eagle to make his debut, aged 15 years and 25 days – the youngest district cricketer in Australia at the time.
In a clash against Kensington at Kensington Oval at the tender age of 15 years and 25 days, he made 15 runs and took a catch.
After a promising start to his career he left the game to serve in the Royal Australian Air Force, returning in 1945.
Hamence’s bats adorn the trophy cabinets at the Eagles club, testament to his outstanding record in district and state cricket.
As a member of Don Bradman’s Invincibles (unbeaten in the 1948 tour of England) he holds a unique place in the game’s history.
He died in 2010, aged 94.
For young Joel Tilbrook, his own story began on Saturday when he was presented with his first Western Eagles cap by former Test cricketer and teammate Daniel Cullen.
Tilbrook explained he didn’t feel nervous making his A grade debut, although it was quite overwhelming receiving his Eagles cap.
“Generally I don’t get nervous,” Tilbrook explained.
“I felt relaxed and calm before the game.
“The boys in the team were great and made me feel like I belonged.
“I found out I was selected when the coach Adam Rumbelow sent me a text of the team and rang me at 9.30pm on Thursday night.”
In this one-day fixture West Torrens batted first and, batting in the lower middle order, Tilbrook made seven before being run out.
Late in the innings, he smashed big Eastern Reds quick Callum Richardson over his head for a boundary in an effort to get quick runs and the bowler gained revenge, running Tilbrook out next ball.
The left-hander was primarily selected as a bowler and he came on first change on a flat Campbelltown track.
Displaying maturity beyond his tender age, Tilbrook’s first over was excellent, with the only runs conceded being an edge through slips for two.
Over the next couple of overs, Reds century maker Ian Cockbain dispatched a couple of boundaries from each. Tilbrook finished with 0/18 from three overs.
Reflecting on his first spell at the bowling crease, Tilbrook said: “At this level there is no margin for error.
“That was just my second game against men at the Eagles.
“I did play a match in the C grade last summer.
“At Honiton I started playing A grade when I was 11 or 12. My dad, Mark, has been a very strong influence on my cricket. We would have played upwards of 20 games together.”
The solidly-built all-rounder, who has another left handed quick Mitchell Johnson as his cricketing hero, has best figures of five wickets for four runs for his foundation club. His top score at Southern Yorke Peninsula A grade level is 49.
His highest score is 76 not out for West Torrens in the Ray Sutton Shield.
“Cricket is my first passion,” Tilbrook conceded.
“I would get great if one day I exchange the Western Eagles cap for a baggy green one day.”
Already regarded as an elite young talent, Tilbrook has played SAPSASA under 12s at Berrigan in New South Wales and Under 15s state cricket in Canberra.
West Torrens has a habit of unearthing young talent; a 17 year old David Hookes started in 1972, making a duck; he would play in the Centenary Test on the MCG five years later.
