Liam Bowe’s Big Bash League debut for Melbourne Stars captures Australia’s attention

TEENAGE tweaker Liam Bowe captured Australia’s attention during a memorable Big Bash League debut for Melbourne Stars last night.

Debutant Liam Bowe of the Stars celebrates the wicket of Ben Dunk with David Hussey and Kevin Pietersen. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images.

TEENAGE tweaker Liam Bowe captured Australia’s attention during a memorable Big Bash League debut for Melbourne Stars last night.

The 19-year-old, who plays Premier Cricket for Essendon, was called up to the Stars’ side to debut against Adelaide Strikers and replaced Australian spinner Adam Zampa after he was chosen to face Pakistan.

The left-arm left-spinner was introduced by Stars captain David Hussey in the seventh over of Adelaide’s innings and removed danger man Ben Dunk for 35 six balls into his spell.

Bowe was quickly the number one trending topic across Australia on Twitter, overtaking discussion about politician’s expense claims and the expansion of the soccer World Cup.

Some compared the bespectacled spinner to New Zealander Daniel Vetorri, while others labelled him the new cult hero of the Big Bash League.

When your grandson Liam Bowe is #1 on twitter in Australia and just got a wicket in his first ever over in the #BBL @StarsBBL #GoStars pic.twitter.com/vywCU2yisd

— Caitlyn Bowe (@caitlyn_8) January 10, 2017

I've seen enough 2 agree with my great mate Craig Howard who was a quality spinner himself that Liam Bowe is outstanding prospect #control

— Darren Berry (@ChuckBerry1969) January 10, 2017

Clive Rose has lost his monopoly on the nerd spin bowling game. Good for you Liam Bowe.

— John Clark (@JohnnyClark83) January 10, 2017

Nicknamed ‘The Wizard’ for his likeness to Harry Potter, Bowe joined Essendon this season after playing in the Bendigo District Cricket Association with Sandhurst.

He finished his debut BBL match with 1-21 from three overs, impressing with his control as the Stars limited the Strikers to 8-152.

It was not his last involvement in the match however, as Bowe — who has a batting average of 1.5 for the Bombers — was forced to pad up with the match headed for a nervous finish.

The rising star, who has been compared to Brad Hogg by his mentor Craig Howard, was next in to bat when Michael Beer and matchwinner Ben Hilfenhaus steered the Stars home with two wickets and three balls to spare.