Former Australia Wicketkeeper Ian Healy’s son makes ‘Underage’ ashes squad

Tom Healy, son of Former Australian legendary keeper Ian Healy, made the cut for a month long tour of the British Isles as part of the U-19 Australian squad. The tour will coincide the Ashes as part of the English summer. Less than a week ago, former Aussie skipper Steve Waugh’s son too was named in an U-16 Australian squad as well.

Just like his dad, Tom Healy too is wicket keeper as glove-work clearly seem to make the Healy genes as his cousin Alyssa Healy has already  played as a  wicket keeper for the Southern Stars, Australia’s women’s cricket teams.

“To live in the same house as a wicketkeeper who played for Australia and coaches the current Australian wicketkeepers, it doesn’t come around very often,” Tom said in an interview with cricket.com.au. He also acknowledged that advice for other coaches would be valuable too.

“He’s(Ian Healy) there as a really good back up. I like to take my game into my own hands a bit and work on my game with other mentors and get their advice and just keep filtering that in.

“He’s there when I really need him. I try and have a catch with him often just to make sure I’m going along the right track. But I like getting advice from other coaches and other voices to see what they think I should be doing to continue to evolve my game.”

Young exciting Jake Doran,  who had an astonishing summer scoring 419 runs at 104.2 including a swashbuckling 169 against the England U-19s at Perth also made the squad.

Cricket Australia National Talent Manager Greg Chappell said, “We made some changes from the team that performed strongly against England in Perth two months ago with an eye to the World Cup early next year.’’

“A number of the players have had the chance in recent months to demonstrate their development at the National Cricket Centre in specialist activities like Spin Week, wicket- keeping camp, the U-19 squad camp and as part of the National Performance Squad,” he said

“We’re excited about the prospects of several of the group and certainly hope this is a springboard for them to enjoy some success with their States and elsewhere in the coming Australian summer.’’ he added.

The U-19 Australian side is being coached former English batsman Greame Hick and  Former Queenland bowler Joe Dawes.Tom will be joined on tour by two other ‘keepers – Sam Harper, nephew of former Victoria batsman Laurie, and Jake Doran.