Seven-year Old Named Australia Co-Captain for Melbourne Test

Cricketnext Staff | Updated: December 23, 2018, 11:23 AM IST

Archie Schiller, the seven-year old leg-spinner who was brought into the Australian Test team earlier this month, is set to lead his country in the iconic Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

The announcement that Schiller would be the team’s co-captain was made by regular captain Tim Paine at an event at Yarra Park ahead of the third Test against India starting on Wednesday.

The leg-spinner from Adelaide will partner star off-spinner Nathan Lyon after his swift rise to the leadership role within the team.

Archie celebrated his seventh birthday on Saturday – the same day that Paine broke the news to the youngster and his family.

His appointment to such a role of such importance is one that is sure to win hearts around the world, especially since he has stared down the kind of adversity no sport could ever match.

When Schiller was just three months old, it was discovered that he had faulty heart valves, which led to irregular beating of the heart and further life-threatening complications if not monitored and kept in check at all times. He has already undergone thirteen surgeries in his yet short life.

Describing himself as a leg-spinner who models himself after Shane Warne, Archie got the most pleasant surprise when, in the presence of his parents, he was told of his inclusion in the Australian squad for the first Test against India at Adelaide via a video call from Langer.

The call, facilitated by the Make a Wish Foundation, informed Archie that he was to link up with the squad before the first Test.

He had also trained alongside his heroes during a training session at the Adelaide Oval earlier this month.