At Nine, Carter Is Already Playing Two Age Groups Up

At nine years old, Carter Eilertsen is already playing U11 cricket.

Recently, the young Fourways opening batter gave Old Lions another reason to notice him.

Playing for Old Lions U11 Orange against Delfos U11 in the NAS Junior T20 competition, Carter scored an unbeaten 56 from 39 balls, with eight fours and a six. Old Lions won by 10 wickets, chasing down the target in 10.2 overs without losing a wicket. Carter was named Man of the Match.

Getting to 50 Wasn’t Quite So Calm

The score makes the innings look composed.

Carter’s own description of reaching the milestone sounds more like a nine-year-old who really wanted that fifty.

He told Fourways Review that he felt nervous as he got closer, and when he finally reached it, it felt like he had scored “50 fifties”.

The award was also his second Man of the Match in a row.

A Year Earlier, It Was His Bowling

Carter’s recent batting form follows a strong U9 season in 2025.

Old Lions U9 won all seven of their matches on the way to the NAS Junior T20 title. Carter finished the tournament with nine wickets and the most dot balls, earning the Best Bowler Award.

Earlier in that competition, he had also produced a standout bowling performance against Randburg Raptors.

So within a year, Carter has gone from being recognised mainly for his bowling to producing an unbeaten half-century while playing above his age group.

It Started With Four Balls

His father, Mike Eilertsen, told Fourways Review that one of Carter’s first matches at seven ended quickly.

Batting at number nine, he was bowled on his fourth ball.

That evening, Carter told his dad he wanted to become really good at cricket. His family agreed to support him if he was prepared to put in the work.

Two years later, the scorecard looks very different.

His Cricket Hero Is at Home

When asked who inspires him most in cricket, Carter did not name an international star.

He chose his dad, who plays with him and helped him find his coaches.

Carter already has his next cricket goals too: a century and a hat-trick.

And his long-term plans are not limited to cricket. He told Fourways Review that he would like the chance to play for South Africa, but also wants to become a business owner one day.

The Bottom Line

Carter is only nine, so there is no need to predict where cricket will take him.

What he has already done is enough.

At seven, he was bowled after four balls. At eight, he was the best bowler in an unbeaten tournament-winning side.

Now, at nine, he has walked off 56 not out while playing U11 cricket.