Samuel Daly Heazlett, born on September 12, 1995, is making waves in the Australian cricketing scene. He is a talented cricketer known for representing Queensland in Australian domestic cricket and the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League. Heazlett’s journey in the sport has been marked by rapid promotions and an early call-up to the Australian national cricket team.
A Promising Start in Domestic Cricket
Heazlett’s journey in professional cricket began when he made his state-level debut for Queensland in November 2015. Despite his limited experience, he made an immediate impact by showcasing his batting prowess. In his first-class debut during the 2015–16 Sheffield Shield season on November 6, 2015, he scored a century against Tasmania. This early success hinted at the talent that would soon capture the attention of cricket enthusiasts.
Not only did Heazlett excel in longer formats of the game, but he also made his mark in T20 cricket. On December 29, 2015, he made his Twenty20 debut for the Brisbane Heat in the 2015–16 Big Bash League, proving his adaptability across formats.
Fast-Tracking to International Cricket
What sets Samuel Heazlett’s journey apart is the speed at which he transitioned to international cricket. In January 2017, despite having limited experience in state cricket, Heazlett was fast-tracked into the Australian national cricket team for a One Day International (ODI) debut.
Heazlett’s journey to international cricket was not without challenges. He suffered a thigh strain that ruled him out of playing for Queensland in the 2016–17 Matador BBQs One-Day Cup, meaning that, by the end of 2016, he had not played a one-day match for his state team. However, his talent and potential did not go unnoticed by the national selectors.
The defining moment came when he was added to Australia’s ODI squad as a replacement for the injured Steve Smith for their series against New Zealand. Heazlett was initially informed that he would not be part of the playing XI for the first ODI. However, fate had other plans. When wicket-keeper Matthew Wade was ruled out of the game due to a back strain, Heazlett became a last-minute replacement.
As a result, on January 30, 2017, Samuel Heazlett made his ODI debut for Australia against New Zealand. While he only managed to score 4 runs in that match, his selection drew attention and raised discussions about his rapid inclusion in the national squad.
Former Australian fast bowler Stuart Clark expressed some reservations about Heazlett’s selection, highlighting the potential opportunities for other experienced players. However, the national selectors saw something special in Heazlett and believed he was a player of the future.
As of December 2022, Samuel Daly Heazlett has not played another match for the Australian national team, but his early introduction to international cricket serves as a testament to his talent and potential.
The cricketing world will be watching with great interest as this young and promising cricketer continues his journey in the sport. Samuel Heazlett’s story is a reminder that in the world of cricket, talent and determination can lead to extraordinary opportunities, even for those with limited experience at the state level.
