By MATT NICHOLLS
THERE’S no doubt Joe Gordon could be a Test cricketer and potential grand slam tennis star, the only problem is he’s English.
The Armidale School sporting prodigy has turned heads on the cricket pitch and tennis court over the last couple of years, but he is preparing to say goodbye to Australia.
The 11-year-old said he could represent the green and gold on the international stage because he was born Down Under, but proudly proclaimed his ties to the Queen.
“I’m definitely English,” he said when asked if he could one day wear a Baggy Green cap.
Gordon and his family have spent the last decade in Armidale after moving from Canterbury in Kent, located in south-east England.
They’ll spend their last Christmas in sunny Australia before hopping on a plane to a freezing Heathrow Airport.
The family will be sorely missed.
Gordon will be remembered for his accomplishments on the sporting field.
As a cricketer he has represented Armidale in the under-12s and also plays against older boys at club level in the under-14s.
He scored his first century last month, bringing a rousing applause from his teammates.
Gordon is also a handy pace bowler.
Although not his preferred sport, he can also wield a tennis racquet to great effect.
A member of the Northern Inland Academy of Sport, Gordon recently took out the North West Tennis Championships in Gunnedah, beating Gunnedah star Nick Barnier in a tiebreak.
“I’ll definitely miss the sport in Armidale,” he said, promising to return.
If he does, there’s every chance he could be in a touring England Ashes squad.
