It was first announced last month that Archie Schiller will be a part of Australia's Test squad in Melbourne. He had got a surprise call from coach Justin Langer from United Arab Emirates (UAE) in October where the team was playing against Pakistan. During the India-Australia first Test in Adelaide, Schiller attended the hosts' training sessions. Schiller, a huge cricket fan, has undergone multiple heart surgeries. When he was just three months old he was diagnosed with a heart condition
Melbourne: Australia have called up a seven-year-old leg-spinner who will lead the side along with regular captain Tim Paine against India in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed on Sunday that Archie Schiller will co-captain alongside Paine in the Boxing Day Test, starting on Wednesday.
Also read: Injury woes mount for Team India ahead of Melbourne Test
You would be wondering who this boy is. Here is his story.
It was first announced last month that Schiller will be a part of Australia's Test squad in Melbourne. He had got a surprise phone call from coach Justin Langer from United Arab Emirates (UAE) in October where the team was playing against Pakistan.
This is outstanding! More on Australia's newest Test squad member via @ARamseyCricket HERE: https://t.co/ctXeVwWwOL@MakeAWishAust | #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/XqBh0mbZUw
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 3, 2018
During the India-Australia first Test in Adelaide, Schiller attended the hosts' training sessions.
Schiller, a huge cricket fan, has undergone 13 heart surgeries. When he was just three months old he was diagnosed with a heart condition.
Also read: India vs Australia series schedule
Through Make-A-Wish Australia, Schiller's dream of being a part of the Test squad was made possible.
In a video which was posted by Cricket Australia (CA), the youngster, who turned seven on Saturday, had said he would take India captain Virat Kohli's wicket.
"We've learned to take nothing for granted, and to cherish every day we have with him," Schiller's mother Sarah was quoted as saying by CA's website.
"Archie misses a lot of school which has a big impact on his friendships, because if you miss your turn at batting or being goal umpire (at football), there's no second chances.
"The other day he came home and said 'I couldn't find my friends and didn't have the energy to run after them, so I just sat and read a book'.
"To me that was heartbreaking, even though it was a really responsible, grown-up decision to make," she added.
The four-Test series between India and Australia is tied 1-1. The fourth and final Test is in Sydney from January 3, 2019.
Ahead of the Boxing Day Test, the two squads mingled with fans on @BupaAustralia family day during the Indian Summer Festival #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/5qlxhSSRKA
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 23, 2018
Last Updated Dec 23, 2018, 2:59 PM IST