When a fan takes a catch at the cricket, a wild celebration normally follows.
That wasn’t the case for Lloyd Haskett at Saturday night’s Big Bash match between the Adelaide Strikers and Brisbane Heat.
With thousands of fans watching a game, catching a six off the bat in a crowd is rare.
Doing it off your son’s bowling is unheard of.
Sitting in the stands alongside more than 27,000 other fans at the Adelaide Oval, Lloyd Haskett was nervously watching his son Liam bowl in his BBL debut.
Things weren’t going to plan. Haskett’s first over went for 15 runs, courtesy of back-to-back sixes from Michael Neser, before balls seven and eight of his maiden spell in a professional T20 match were hit for boundaries by Nathan McSweeney.
Liam Haskett bowls for the Strikers on Saturday evening against the Brisbane Heat. Credit: Getty Images
It’s safe to say Haskett was under the pump.
The third ball of Haskett’s second over was clubbed into the leg side once again, right in his dad’s direction.
Incredibly, Lloyd managed to take a clean catch, quickly acknowledging the crowd around him before throwing the ball back onto the field. Haskett snr certainly didn’t look too pleased.
Haskett’s sharp catching skills weren’t a surprise to those who know him, given the 56-year-old played 104 WAFL matches for East Perth and West Perth between 1988 and 1997.
Liam Haskett finished with figures of 2-43 from three overs but was able to celebrate a win on debut as the Heat fell 56 runs short of the Strikers’ imposing total of 5-251, thanks to Matt Short’s spectacular 109 from 54 balls.
Fox commentator and former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, who lives in Western Australia, recognised Haskett’s father on the coverage.
“He sat back there and did not look thrilled at all with proceedings,” Gilchrist said on Fox. “He played it very cool. We thought he was just a cool customer, but he was so disappointed that his son on debut had just been dispatched.”
Former England captain Michael Vaughan said it had to be “the first time ever” that’s someone’s father had taken a catch off their son’s bowling.
Lloyd Haskett declined to be interviewed.
Meanwhile, fast bowler Jhye Richardson will undergo surgery this week after electing to go under the knife to stabilise his right shoulder following a dislocation in late November.
The decision follows extensive consultation with medical specialists and Cricket Australia. By electing to have the surgery now, Richardson – who was called up to Australia’s squad for the fourth and fifth Tests against India – aims to return to being available to play by next summer, which includes the Ashes series against England.
“After careful consideration and many discussions with my medical team, I’ve made the decision to undergo shoulder surgery to improve stability and reduce the risk of future injury,” Richardson said.
“For the past few years, I have been limited by my shoulder in the field and know how increasingly important it is to be capable to back up my teammates. While it’s a tough call, especially as it means I won’t be able to finish the season with the Scorchers, this is the best option to set me up for a strong and healthy return to cricket.
“The timing of the surgery is crucial to ensure I have the best possible build up, including Shield cricket leading into next summer. I’ll be giving everything I’ve got to the rehab process, determined to come back as the best version of myself.”
