Sport
24 November, 2022
Cam McClure becomes first Maryborough local to play in the Big Bash League
For the first time ever, the town of Maryborough will be represented in the Big Bash League (BBL), with local Cam McClure signing with the Melbourne Stars. The quick Victorian bowler is set for a big weekend, with his signing following selection for...
For the first time ever, the town of Maryborough will be represented in the Big Bash League (BBL), with local Cam McClure signing with the Melbourne Stars.
The quick Victorian bowler is set for a big weekend, with his signing following selection for his first game at the MCG in Victoria’s Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania, which started yesterday.
McClure’s signing means he will get to experience playing cricket with international superstars such as New Zealand’s Trent Boult and England’s Luke Wood, as well as experienced Australian cricketers such as Adam Zampa, Marcus Stoinis and Joe Burns.
McClure said that his selection to the 17-man Melbourne Stars squad was set to be his breakthrough after being in contention for a spot in recent years.
“I’ve been around the mark the last couple of years and it’s been cool to be around the setup, but to be on the list now is awesome. To be around some world-class players and in the changerooms is amazing,” he said.
“The last couple of years have been tough for me coming into the system so late. It was going to take me a bit longer to develop than those who were already in there around my age, so I had to bide my time for a couple of years, and now seeing myself sort of blossom and having the opportunity to build my body is great.”
McClure made his debut for Victoria in both the Marsh Cup and Sheffield Shield in 2022, and has been able to show his wares with the ball in both grades, taking 14 wickets in six games, boasting an average of 30.5 in his four Sheffield Shield matches, which included his best figures in first-class cricket in his last outing, taking 3/53 against Queensland in Brisbane two weeks ago.
But it’s with the white ball where McClure feels he has made significant strides, which has led to his Big Bash signing.
“For me, being able to make my debut in white-ball cricket in one-dayers, as well as Premier Cricket being predominantly white-ball with COVID has been beneficial for me being able to work on that type of cricket. I think that has made a big difference, and the back end stuff of the Twenty20 game is very similar to the back end of the one-day games. Playing Shield cricket regularly means you’ll also be on a Big Bash list, so it goes a long way,” he said.
Recently selected in cricket.com.au’s list of the best 25 cricketers under 25, McClure chooses to focus on the enjoyment of playing state cricket, while also eagerly counting down to a possible Big Bash debut.
“To be in the best 25 players under 25 is awesome, but for me, playing state cricket is what I’m loving at the moment, and being able to stay in there, as well as some Big Bash stuff hopefully,” he said.
McClure feels that the bowling depth Victoria have could lead to greater opportunities at higher levels in the future, and feels that his signing in the Big Bash will help generate some more opportunities.
“We have a great group at the moment in Victoria, if we can keep feeding off these older guys like Scott Boland and progress quickly with them, I think you’ll see a lot of the younger guys we have in the Australian setup in years to come, so that’s definitely the goal,” he said.
The Melbourne Stars’ first game also doubles as the season opener when they travel to Canberra to play against the Sydney Thunder on Tuesday, December 13, while McClure’s first potential opportunity to play for the Stars on the MCG could come on Friday, December 16 when they host the Hobart Hurricanes.