Ian Harvey’s nephew, Mackenzie set to become youngest player to play in BBL

Mackenzie Harvey, the nephew of former Australia all-rounder Ian Harvey, is set to be the next cricketing star from Down Under. The rapid rise of the 17-year-old batsman has turned many heads. And on Tuesday, he reached another milestone. The youngster was signed up by Melbourne Renegades as a replacement for Aaron Finch, could be the youngest in the history of the league if selected for Monday’s game against Adelaide Strikers.

Alister McDermott, aged 17 years and 211 days in 2009, is the current youngest player in the league. Harvey, if selected for the next match against Adelaide Strikers on Monday will be making his debut at the age of 17 years and 126 days.

Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, an upbeat Mackenzie was quoted saying, “I’m really stoked and to play in a Big Bash game would be absolutely amazing. After my last few games, I’ve felt pretty confident so it should be good fun. I’m a Renegades fan so to hopefully pull the guernsey on for them will be a big honour.”

A promising prospect for Australia

The teenager, born after the turn of the millennium, most recently produced a battling cameo against a full-strength England attack in a one-day warm-up match in Sydney. Mackenzie Harvey, whose uncle Ian played 73 ODIs for his country, hit a fantastic 58 from just 49 balls at the Drummoyne Oval ahead of the ODI leg between England and Austalia.

He showed precocious talent, and more than a little self-confidence, to lift his fourth ball over the third man for six before clubbing three more maximum and four further boundaries against an England bowling side that featured the likes of Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Tom Curran, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali.

Rashid eventually stopped his innings. However, his time at the crease served as a testament that he is a star in making and will be a promising prospect for his nation in the near future.