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Thunder sign youngest ever BBL player

Jake Doran to mix it with cricket legends

Prodigious talent Jake Doran has become the youngest player to sign a KFC T20 Big Bash League contract, with the Sydney Thunder securing the services of the 17-year-old for one season.

At 17 years and 311 days, Doran bests Melbourne Renegades BBL|01 signing Meryck Buchanan who was 18 years and 56 days when he joined the club.

After three series in last position, the wicketkeeper-batsman will aim to usher in a new era of success for the perennial cellar dwellers.

“I think there’s a better atmosphere around everyone who works at the club,” Doran told News Limited.

“My goal is to represent my country the highest level I can and hopefully stay there for a long period of time.

“In the mean time I’ll play my cricket with the Thunder and NSW and try and score as many runs as I can.”

The wraps couldn’t be higher on the teenager with Australian cricket great Greg Chappell comparing the diminutive batsman to Thunder teammate and former Test star Mike Hussey.

“Huss is obviously one of the greats of the game and I try not to take too much notice of that,” he said.

“Being compared to Huss is a good thing, but I can just try be myself and learn as much as I can from people like Huss and Kallis and everyone around the team who have obviously played first class cricket.

“I’m just trying to learn as much I can off them at the moment and it’s exciting.”

But the left-hander, who also became the youngest player in Australian domestic history to be selected for a NSW second XI side at 16 years of age, will have one small obstacle to overcome before he can fully commit to Thunder Nation however.

“I’ve got my HSC exams next week that I’ve still got to do and I’m just trying to get everything done a normal person would in year 12,” Doran said.

“But at the same time I’m focusing on my cricket and trying to get as far as I can.”

The addition is yet another coup for the Thunder who have also added South African great Jacques Kallis, speedster Pat Cummins and the Hobart Hurricanes’ top run-scorer in last month’s Champions League, Aiden Blizzard.

“(With) the signings we’ve got, with Kallis, Huss, Pat Cummins and all those blokes,” Doran said.

“It seems like we’ve got a strong side together and it’s going to be an exciting year.”