Cricketer turned footballer Alex Keath fighting for a spot with Adelaide Crows

Alex Keath was once a very talented cricketer. He represented Australia at the U-19 level and went on to make his first-class debut for Victoria in the year 2010. He even played in the Big Bash League as he represented Melbourne Stars and then the Adelaide Strikers. Everything was going smoothly for this batting all-rounder, till he decided to switch to football.

Keath had run both sports parallel to each other but gave football the nod ahead in early 2016. The 25-year old was named co-captain of Adelaide’s SANFL team. Having completed just one full AFL pre-season, Keath would in a better position to forge an AFL career if he has a similar season again.

Keath is coming back from a hamstring injury and does not have a contract as yet. His manager James Vince said that Keath’s focus was to put together a few fine performances.

“Right now, Keathy is just concentrating on putting together solid performances and we will see where he is at,” Vine said.

“His major focus and ours right now is just getting back on the park and stringing some good games together.”

Keath’s career began with Gold Coast Suns in 2009 but the youngster then wanted to pursue a career in cricket. After playing 7 first-class games and 16 List A’s, Keath failed to earn a contract as he could not put together reasonable performances, which prompted him to get back to football. It is said that at least 14 AFL teams were in communication with Keath during his cricket career.

In 2016, he was taken in the AFL rookie draft of 2016 as a 3-year non-registered selection and began with the SANFL reserves.

Will Sutherland in similar dilemma

Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland’s son Will Sutherland will have to take a similar call soon. Will, like Keath, has huge talents in the games of cricket and football. All of just 17, Will has to take the hard call sooner rather than later to concentrate on one sport and seeing Keath’s fate, AFL dream might just take a back seat at the moment.