By ADEM SARICAOGLU
JAMES Muirhead graced Adelaide Oval for his Sheffield Shield debut channelling similar feelings a character once played by Michael Caton had for Bonnie Doon.
Still just 19 years old, the significance of making his Shield debut for Victoria against an arch-rival on such an iconic layer of turf wasn’t lost on the former Altona Meadows leg spinner.
“Playing on grounds like Adelaide Oval is like playing on a lawn bowls green, it’s that smooth,” Muirhead told Star.
“The pitch is nice, the serenity is awesome, and with the history Adelaide Oval has had in the past, it was just awesome to be able to play on it.”
Muirhead has played a starring role for Premier club St Kilda this summer and has clearly been turning heads – and not just the cherry – down at Bushrangers headquarters.
In November he twice carried the drinks for Victoria and was also part of the Melbourne Renegades’ squad for the recently completed Big Bash series.
However, as the traditional Sheffield Shield came out of its mid-summer hiatus to make way for the more lucrative Big Bash, Muirhead quietly snuck his way into fulfilling a lifelong dream.
His pride in being given his baggy blue cap was abundant when Muirhead detailed the moments leading up to his debut on 24 January.
“I’m player number 832,” he proudly declared.
“Before the game Rob Quiney presented my cap and gave a bit of a speech, and I’ll never forget every word he said.
“I was a bit emotional when I accepted the cap.
“Knowing I’m sharing a cap which heaps of past great Victorian players have achieved and knowing that I’m a part of Victorian cricket history is a surreal feeling.”
It took 11 overs to get the breakthrough wicket, but Muirhead’s memory of trapping South Australia’s Travis Head on the pads for 16 will also stay close to his heart for a long time to come.
“I was hoping it would come a bit quicker than that, but in the end I got him out lbw,” Muirhead said.
“All the boys celebrating and coming together was something I’ll just never forget, and the experience of finally getting my first wicket and seeing the umpire putting his finger up to give him out, I’ll never forget that.”
The experience has only fuelled Muirhead’s desire to add a baggy green to his cap collection, but he understands that dream is still a fair way off, and for now his plan is to continue performing for St Kilda and making the most of his opportunities with the Bushrangers.
Muirhead also revealed despite receiving plenty of interest from English County clubs, he will most likely spend the Australian winter in Brisbane training at the Australian Institute of Sport.
