The Urban Cowboy – Thomas Kelly’s foundations to fire on all cricket and creative cylinders
Written by Will Faulkner
There aren’t many professional athletes that can say they’re closing in on cult hero status at age 21, but Thomas Kelly is an exception to the majority.
Referred to as the ‘Urban Cowboy’ by Fox Cricket’s most elite callers of the game, his nicknames and curly hair give him all the fundamentals for a cult cricketing figure.
Armed with a flawless technique, brute hitting and an athleticism in the field matched by few, the right-handed batsman has been quite the fit for the Adelaide Strikers and South Australia this season.
Debuting for the two sides late last year, Thomas has looked more than comfortable at domestic level – and despite his youth, it’s been a long time coming.
The roadmap to becoming his state’s next big-hitting batsman started in 2017, where he played back-to-back national championships; one for South Australia’s U17’s and another for Cricket Australia in the Under 19’s.
“It still probably wasn’t until after my first state U17’s carnival that I thought to myself ‘I can give this a red-hot crack’”, said Thomas of his initial beliefs as a junior on how far he could take cricket.
With former Adelaide Crows player Matthew Kelly as his father and twin brother Corey also contracted for South Australia, Thomas has grown up in a household full of competition.
Thomas gives plenty of praise to his childhood coaches Richard Hockney and Simon Starr (cricket and footy respectively), saying they allowed him to enjoy sport to the fullest, while simultaneously developing him an as athlete.
‘TK’ appreciated his time at junior clubs Sturt, Goodwood Cricket Club and the Mitcham Hawks more than most, as the environment within was incomparable to what he experienced at school level.
He describes his time away from the clubs and in school sport sides as ‘dreadful’, and ‘just not the place to be’ in comparison to the strong culture at club level.
His love for cult figures at local level does not hold stronger than for Sturt legend Mick Weatherald; a life member who has tirelessly been involved at the club for several decades, in particular their juniors.
A loyal member of the Sturt District Cricket Club, Thomas idolises the culture and commitment of many club figures - Photo credit: Naomi Jellicoe
“People like Mick are the reason that myself and many others come back every week and every season to play cricket. He really is the best”.
The beliefs from Mick and other key personnel on Thomas’ future with cricket have always been accurate, but for a while it was his own doubts that cast over where he truly belonged.
“It’s more when you’re 17, 18, 19 – even last year on my first year of contract, I would always think ‘am I good enough to be here?’”.
“The pace of the game is very different; even now playing Big Bash, it’s hard to not think to yourself,” spoke TK of his own doubts and uncertainty.
In early 2020, Thomas’ brother Corey was selected for Australia’s U19 World Cup side to play in South Africa – a difficult pill to swallow for the identical twin who had been starting to build some form.
Whilst a small setback, it didn’t take long for Kelly to hit his stride.
Less than 24 hours after the U19 World Cup started in South Africa, TK was back home in Adelaide making his maiden 1st Grade hundred against a well-oiled Glenelg outfit led by Chadd Sayers.
It was off the back of a very strong finish to the 2019/20 season that earned him and his brother rookie contracts with the West End Redbacks – their first taste at officially being a professional athlete.
His first season at the Redbacks was heavily affected by COVID-19, which restricted his ability to socialise and fit in like so many of his teammates had done.
Thomas and twin brother Corey were introduced to professional cricket in a time of COVID-19 uncertainty - Photo credit: Mark Brake
“Wes [Agar] and Bobby [Brad Davis] were both great to me in my first season – not necessarily just as cricketers, but as mates too”.
“In a more professional sense, Callum Ferguson before he retired and Henry Hunt in his first season were also great”.
It was through these teammates that TK was able to answer the ever-tough question; what sets himself apart from other batsman across the country?
The answer?
At a professional level he believes his technique is still quite raw, leaving a lot more room for improvement than perhaps other young cricketers in a similar boat.
Having turned down multiple offers to go and play in the United Kingdom this off-season, Kelly has his sights set on nailing a third pre-season with South Australia and building on his attacking, energetic style of cricket.
For Thomas, life away from professional sport is just as, if not more important than the game of cricket itself.
His eight-month old dog Shelby and girlfriend Ellie have been staples in his life for a while now, and are with him whenever he has a spare moment away from cricket.
When he isn’t with his girlfriend or pup, TK will regularly be working up at The Stirling Golf Club to maintain their grounds with his boss who ‘doesn’t know a lot about cricket’ - something he says is a good thing.
TK and his eight-month old dog Shelby, who he says is a 'staple' in his life alongside girlfriend Ellie
“It’s a hobby that really gets my creative juices flowing… I can go up there for four or five hours after training and separate my cricket from my hobbies,”
“Horticulture at TAFE this year is on the cards, it’s something I can do part-time,” said Kelly when talking about intertwining studies with his current lifestyle.
All of these activities have helped TK and his brother Corey set up a fresh business labelled “Kelly Brothers Contracting”, that they are planning to run out of the Adelaide Hills.
They are both currently setting up infrastructure in tandem with their existing clients, managing it in a way that allows them to work successfully alongside cricket commitments and employment at the Stirling Golf Club.
Rural fencing, gathering firewood and land clearing are just a few of the jobs under the Kelly Brother Contracting umbrella so far in what is clearly a very well-planed business venture by the twins.
In the midst of what is a very busy life, Thomas says his mum is the one person who keeps him grounded the most at home; through thick and thin.
Thomas, mum Tina, and brother Corey are three of five very tight-knit family members - Photo credit: Sarah Reed
“Every morning when I walk out the door with a Farmers Union [Iced Coffee], Mum will tell me to have fun, enjoy whatever I’m doing and don’t be stupid”.
Particularly at the time of year where Big Bash duties roll around, he says people like his mother and girlfriend are super important to keep him grounded as the competition’s players are placed on ‘pedestals’.
When asked where he sees himself in 12 months’ time, Thomas was very set on locking down a spot for the Strikers in their middle order going forward, and allowing his form to give him chances in all three domestic formats.
The extroverted figure has now finished the Big Bash season, and wasted no time in finding himself back in the runs for Sturt with a run-a-ball 98 just a few days ago.
With the talent and support crew around him to become one of South Australia’s true greats, at such a young age the future for TK is nothing short of exciting.
The Urban Cowboy, already a pro on his first domestic cricket rodeo.