The Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers have combined to orchestrate the first ever trade in the history of the KFC T20 Big Bash League – with Michael Beer heading to the Stars and James Muirhead becoming a Scorcher.This is the first player trade in BBL Trade Week history. The only other movement within a trade period was the transfer of Callum Ferguson from the Adelaide Strikers to the Melbourne Renegades in May earlier this year. No other player was part of that deal.
Beer, a left arm orthodox bowler will join the Stars’ strong bowling attack in a straight trade for leg-spinner James Muirhead.
Beer is looking forward to calling the MCG home for the summer, with childhood memories of watching cricket at the iconic ground: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to join the Stars and play again on the MCG with some of my great mates.
“I’m really looking forward to playing alongside Cam White and Kevin Pietersen and the rest of the Stars boys in front of some huge crowds this summer.”
Michael Beer is joining the Melbourne Stars
Commenting on the strategy behind the trade, Melbourne Stars’ Chairman of Selectors Damien Fleming said: “We’re obviously very pleased to be able to secure Michael as a Melbourne Star. His experience and skill with his left-arm orthodox spin bowling gives us some great flexibility in all conditions.”
“With a big summer of cricket ahead, our strategy coming into trade week was to be open minded and consider all possibilities put to us, with a view to ensuring any changes to our squad provided ongoing depth and diversity in our playing group to take on all teams, all conditions and allow for the absence of players called up for national selection.”
Muirhead will come together with his Perth teammates in early December, at the conclusion of state cricket commitments. The Scorchers have three players, including one international, to name before the Friday 5 December contracting deadline.
Scorchers General Manager – High Performance Ben Oliver said: “Michael came to us and expressed his desire to explore a possible trade as he believed better playing opportunities existed for him elsewhere.
“Despite Michael being a valued member of the squad, we respected his position and, ultimately, we are pleased we were able to achieve a positive outcome with the Stars and attract another of the country’s best young spin bowlers to the Scorchers. We thank Michael for his contribution and wish him all the best for the future.
“This trade reflects our commitment to building an era of success for Scorchers fans and to developing talented players for Australian cricket. For James, it is a great opportunity to be part of a high performing group and work alongside the competition’s best wrist spinner over the past three years in Brad Hogg. We welcome James and see a bright future for him in BBL|04 and beyond.”
Muirhead said: “This all came as a real surprise to me, but an opportunity was presented to me which I was asked to consider.
“The appeal of being able to play under someone of the calibre of Justin Langer, as well as being able to work so closely with Brad Hogg, provided genuine appeal to me with my long term future and development in mind.
“I am excited to throw myself into this proven culture and begin this new journey, but I also wish the Stars every success going forward.”
The Trade Week concept was first introduced ahead of BBL|03, and a second Trade Week was introduced this season for the first time following feedback from clubs. The Trade Weeks allow BBL clubs to trade or transfer contracted players in order to give clubs the flexibility to build their strongest possible squads. All parties must provide their prior consent to any trade or transfer.
BBL clubs have until Friday 5 December to submit their 18-player squad lists, including their Community and Development Rookies.
BBL|04 starts on 18 December when the Adelaide Strikers and the Melbourne Stars play at Adelaide Oval, with the League to run throughout the summer school holidays.
James Buttler
As the editor of World Cricket Badger he is intent on building the website to give quality coverage of the domestic game around the world.
He is also the presenter of the Cricket Badger Radio Show on Radio Yorkshire every Tuesday evening between 7-9pm UK time.
James was the full-time Media Manager at Yorkshire County Cricket Club between 2007 and 2010.
James is a published author, a writer/video contributor to many cricket publications and a complete cricket badger!
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