FORMER Test quick Jason Gillespie is tipping big things from former Nirranda boys Jake Haberfield and Tim Ludeman.
The duo have performed well this season with the South Australian Redbacks and Gillespie said both were more than capable of carving out first-class careers.
Right-arm medium quick Haberfield, 23, has now played nine first-class matches and claimed 23 wickets at 41.26. He’s played 15 one-dayers and taken 25 wickets at 23.4.
Ludeman, 22, moved from Victoria to South Australia before the start of this season. He claimed an impressive 22 catches in six first-class games and made 203 runs at 25.37 with a highest score of 62.
“I think they’ve done very well,” Gillespie, a long-time South Australia and Australia opening bowler said.
Gillespie made the comment after committing to be part of the 10th Australian Cricketers’ Association Masters Regional Tour which will be in Warrnambool next week.
Eight former Australian and three state players will participate in a Twenty20 game, coaching clinics and community activities.
The ACA Masters team includes Gillespie, effervescent all-rounder Brad Hogg, spinner Ray Bright, off-spinning all-rounder Greg Matthews, opening bat Matthew Elliott, fiery speedster Rodney Hogg and bowlers Wayne Holdsworth and Greg Campbell backed up by Victorian Aiden Blizzard, Australia A player Corey Richards and talented former Nestles wicketkeeper/batsman Ludeman.
Gillespie said Haberfield and Ludeman had performed well enough to help cement their places in the South Australia squad.
“Young Jake learnt a lot in his first full year of state cricket and is coming along nicely,” he said.
“He’s developing and improving with each outing. Ludeman has also done nothing wrong, he’s performed well with the bat and behind the stumps.
“They’ve got talent. It’s only early days in their first-class careers. It’s pretty important Haberfield has another good winter, a solid pre-season, so he comes back bigger and stronger for next summer.”
The former Test bowler said Ludeman was in the unenviable position of being the No. 2 keeper behind Graham Manou and had played one Test and an international one-dayer. “It can be tough being behind an established player but this season has shown that Ludeman will get opportunities, whether Manou is injured or called up for Australian duties,” Gillespie said.
“It’s important he continues to do the work and he’s ready.”
Gillespie said there was now more movement of players between states, with cricketers developing into full-time professionals.
“Players can now see there’s good careers in being professional cricketers. Even just 10 years ago players were reluctant to chase their cricketing dream,” he said.
Gillespie said he was not involved in the South Australian Redbacks but was enjoying his time commentating for ABC radio, being involved in ACA tours and coaching.
The ACA Masters will play against a Warrnambool invitational Xl on Friday, March 26, under lights at Reid Oval.
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