Carlton paceman Cameron Stevenson on cusp of first-class career
CARLTON is preparing for life without paceman Cameron Stevenson, who is on the cusp of earning a first-class contract.
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CARLTON is preparing for life without paceman Cameron Stevenson, who is on the cusp of earning a first-class contract.
Stevenson has been linked with Tasmania since he played for the Tigers in a Futures League match in February.
The 23-year-old, who made his Big Bash League debut for Melbourne Renegades in 2015-16, could be unveiled as a Tasmanian player this week.
Carlton coach Warren Ayres confirmed Stevenson would be departing the club.
“He goes with our blessing and we hope he becomes a first-class player in years to come,” Ayres said.
“We hope that the Carlton Cricket Club has had something to do with his progression. That’s what we’re trying to do for all players.”
The former Brunswick junior was earmarked as one of the rising stars of Victorian cricket when he was selected in the inaugural Futures League academy.
He captured 25 wickets from 15 matches for the Blues over the recently-completed Premier Cricket campaign, including a season-best haul of 4-87 against Greenvale Kangaroos in Round 14.
Stevenson’s loss could be offset by the return of former Carlton all-rounder Evan Gulbis.
Ayres confirmed the Blues had held preliminary discussions with Gulbis, who was one of four casualties from the Tasmanian squad earlier this week.
“If he comes back to Melbourne we’ll be very keen to have him,” he said.
“We’ve already made contact and he’s aware of that.
“If that happens it happens. We’d be very keen to have him.”
Stevenson will join Fitzroy-Doncaster seamer Andrew Perrin in Tasmania, should he be confirmed as one of the state’s recruits for 2016-17.
For more, read next week’s Melbourne Leader.
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