By Russell Bennett
It’s like Mitch Cammarano is a 30-year-old cricketer trapped inside a 16-year-old’s body.
Anyone who spends any significant time with him can’t help but be impressed with the maturity he has so far beyond his years.
The way the up-and-coming Kooweerup star approaches his cricket, and the huge recent injury setbacks he’s had, had him well equipped a crack at his first senior Country Week campaign last week.
But no one could have imagined he’d leave such a lasting impact.
Before his debut Country Week, Cammarano had played just 10 games of cricket since returning from a nightmare foot injury that included the dreaded Lisfranc fracture.
He spent eight months on the sidelines, and when he returned was desperate to make up for lost time.
Last week, his impact for the Warriors was real and telling – particularly with his lower-order 36 on day three, and his fielding prowess all week.
Like so of his Warriors team mates, his only concern was playing his role to the best of his ability and it’s what made the group so much bigger than the sum of its parts.
“Being a 16-year-old kid going away with blokes who are 10, 15, 20 years older and playing against blokes who’re so experienced at what they do, I just looked up to every player who was there and I took in what they did well,” he said.
To say he “took in” what other players did is a slight understatement. Even days after Country Week had finished, he flawlessly recounted the impact his team mates had on him.
“You don’t know these blokes at first, but when you do you realise they’re great people,” he said.
“What I love about Country Week is that every strives to do the best they can for each other.”
Here is what the 16-year-old took away from each of his team mates…
Dom Paynter (captain): “He gets on well with everyone and was the perfect captain to have. He always gives his all, and he’s just so professional. He’s an absolute gun, and I’d love to play more under him.”
Chris Bright: “He’s very cool, calm, and collected and always backs you in no matter what. He’s always positive, and that’s something that’s really come out.”
Kallan Braid-Ball: “To come off his long run, one thing I loved about him was his work ethic. If Dom wanted him to bowl a long spell straight, he’d do it. He was a bit sore, but he kept pushing through and giving it his all.”
Tyler Clark: “He’s very calm as well. He’s a bit quiet, but he really came out of his shell and expressed himself a bit more. The way he goes about his cricket, and the way he fielded during the week… wow. I think he should be at Koowee!”
Mark Cooper: “I roomed with him, which was good. I always saw him as a great leader, and he’s very smart, but he’s also really composed. He’s always teaching you during games as well. The way he prepares is second-to-none, and he’s always positive. He was my dad for the week and I can’t thank him enough for looking after me.”
Rob Elston: “He’s a great person. I love to play in a team with him because of that voice – it gets me going, and picks everyone else up. He’s just so committed and brings everyone with him.”
Tom Hussey: “He was one of my favourites. To see the way he bats and plays through some of his shots, you just think he shouldn’t be playing locally. He’s something else.”
Josh Lownds: “I thought he was very aggressive with the way he bowled – he kept flighting it up there and giving it a red-hot crack. He probably got Ferntree Gully’s best batsman out on the last day.”
Troy McDermott: “With that big frame of his, he bats really hard with strong arms and quick hands. In the field he was an absolute jet, so I know not to ever take a single on him. One thing I learnt from these older guys is they don’t panic. He took two ripping catches on the boundary because he was composed.”
Nick Sadler: “He was very unlucky early but on day three he bowled one of the best spells I’d seen from an opening bowler even though he only got two wickets. On the last day he got a bloke out who’d made two tons during the week. You can’t ask for more than that. He grew dramatically from the experience.”
Jason Williams: “The way he goes about his cricket – he’s always relaxed and loves to have a laugh. The way he was on the field, he always got around me and he made me feel welcome. He was a huge factor in the games he played. He’s so patient with the bat and I know he’ll be hard to get out come (Premier) finals time.”
Tom Tyrrell: “He’s always team-first. He came up on day two and he was one of the best blokes I got to know. He hits the deck hard with the ball and just keeps putting it in the right spot. For him to play the last day despite the wedding he had to go to, that just showed his commitment and the respect he had for the boys.”
