James Muirhead will be decked out in Red for this year’s Big Bash competition after signing with the Melbourne Renegades. 73471_02 Picture: CONTRIBUTED
By LIAM TWOMEY
WHEN the Melbourne Renegades take on the Melbourne Stars in the Cricket Australia Big Bash League later this year, Altona Meadows’ resident James Muirhead will have the best seat in the house.
Last week the 18-year-old signed with the Renegades and will be a vital part of the club’s spin bowling attack in the new season.
Playing Twenty20 cricket as a spin bowler is always a tough task but Muirhead will have the added pressure of going head to head with Stars’ gun bowler and cricket legend Shane Warne.
After gaining some valuable experience in the Big Bash last year while playing for the Adelaide Strikers, Muirhead said he was looking forward to the task at hand.
“It is going to be very exciting and I was really pleased to be able to sign with the Renegades for this year’s Big Bash competition,” he said.
“That will be a ripper game (the Melbourne derby). They are expecting around 50,000 people, which will be great.
“It will be good to take on Warnie. I’ve actually never met him. It will be a big challenge. Hopefully, the two leggies can go at it and dominate the game.”
While Warne presents a tough task, there will be no respite for Muirhead who will also be bowling to
big hitters like David Warner and Chris Gayle who have already signed up for this year’s competition. “As a spinner you are going to get hit around.
“You could get hit out of the park or you could get a few wickets. My aim is just to back myself and hopefully my skills will get them out.
“I’ll bowl a little bit quicker with the odd really slow ball so it’s just a lot of variation that I need to use.”
The signing of Muirhead completes what has been an exciting few weeks for the rising star, who was also given a two-year rookie contract by Cricket Victoria.
One of his goals this season is to force his way into the Victorian one day and Sheffield Shield sides. “It is really positive considering there are going to be a few outs because of the Australia A tour and International Cricket so things are looking really good at the moment,” Muirhead said.
“Hopefully I can debut in the first Ryobi Cup match or the first shield match.”
