Hawkesbury Cricket Club’s Arjun Nair is one of the hottest properties in Australian cricket and has had a fortnight to remember even for his lofty standards.
His resume would induce envy among far more experienced players with a starring role for the Cricket Australia XI in the recent Matador Cup, playing a two-day match against South Africa and signing a professional Big Bash contract with the defending champions the Sydney Thunder.
It’s been a rapid rise after coming to prominence with two Sheffield Shield games for the NSW Blues last season.
“It was a great experience again and a good opportunity,” he said of making the Blues said.
“I probably didn’t perform as well as I would have liked, I don’t know what it was, probably back end of the season, a bit of fatigue.
“I feel like I’m a better player than I was last season so that’s a plus point from what I feel.”
After starting as a batsman, Nair is seen as a top-line off-spin option after picking up the skill after “playing around with off-spin in the backyard with my dad” at 15.
“That’s my aim, to be an all-rounder,” he said.
“I want to help the team in any way possible in all three aspects – batting, bowling or fielding.”
His all-round skills were on full display during the Matador Cup for the CA XI with a commanding 67 at the top of the order against Victoria and 11 wickets for the tournament.
Along with three wickets against South Africa in a tour match, Nair said it was a good chance to play some internationally experience opposition.
“I was pretty pleased with my Matador Cup to be honest,” he said.
The young talent’s path to the top started at 12, when he played for Hawkesbury in the Green Shield competition.
His old batting coach Bill Madden was the coach of the side and brought him to the club, which Nair said was an opportunity too good to pass up.
“It was a really tough challenge at such a young age to play first grade against some top quality players,” he said.
“I take it as a challenge and try to get better every time. That was the key for me, to keep getting better.”
Now in his fourth season in first grade, Nair is ready for the next level, having signed a full Blues professional contract during the off-season.
Nair said being around the likes of Andre Russell, Shane Watson, Mike Hussey and Jacques Kallis in a championship season was fantastic.
“This year for me it’s about playing games, simple as that. To get an opportunity and perform well is my main goal,” he said.
“It’s going to be tough because there’s a winning formula going on but for me I have to make sure I can produce in all three aspects of the game and hopefully get in the starting eleven.”
