Peter Hatzoglou’s stunning Melbourne Renegades BBL debut no shock

A man who has tracked Peter Hatzoglou’s rapid rise gives his verdict on the spinner’s attention-grabbing debut.

Peter Hatzoglou has plenty to celebrate in a stunning BBL debut. Picture: Getty Images

Peter Hatzoglou’s eye-catching Big Bash League debut would have surprised many.

But Melbourne University coach Antony Keely was not among them.

Hatzoglou has spent the past three seasons at the Premier Cricket outfit, progressing from the Fourth XI to make seven First XI appearances in 2019-20.

Six days after being named in Melbourne Renegades’ squad as a local replacement player, Hatzoglou put Perth Scorchers in a spin on Saturday night.

After conceding 12 runs in his first over, the tall leg-spinner trapped Cameron Bancroft and Mitch Marsh lbw to finish with 2-29 from four overs in his team’s seven-wicket victory.

Peter Hatzoglou put Perth Scorchers in a spin. Picture: Getty Images

“His consistency has been the thing that’s helped him drive up through the grades,” Keely said.

“He is fast and dangerous, and his good balls are so dangerous.

“But he’s now bowling a heck of a lot more good balls and very few bad balls, which means he can generate scoreboard pressure as well, which has opened up wicket-taking opportunities for him.

“It doesn’t surprise me at all, and he’s got unbelievable self-belief, which is something I wish I could bottle up and give to half-a-dozen other players.”

Hatzoglou returned 14 wickets at 17.1 apiece for Melbourne Uni’s First XI last summer.

He has seven wickets from five matches for South Australia grade club Prospect District this season, where he is playing alongside brother Max.

Before arriving at the Students, he was taking the field for junior club Sunshine Heights in Division 3 of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association, underlining his rapid rise.

Peter Hatzoglou sends one down for Sunshine Heights in 2014. Picture: Kylie Else

“There was quite a few Melbourne University Cricket Club people screaming at TVs when he was hitting pads,” Keely said on Sunday.

“It was pretty amazing. His rise to playing Big Bash has been fast and there’s a lot of people who are great friends with him – Peter’s a pretty personable guy – and feel like they’ve played some part in it. It’s a really nice feeling.

“When we were watching it, it felt like everyone was connected to Peter.

“The vibe in the room was pretty amazing.

“He just did his thing, got out some good players and celebrated accordingly.”

Keely noted Hatzoglou’s litmus test was likely ahead given rival batsmen now have the luxury of assessing his strengths and weaknesses after an attention-grabbing debut.

“But he’s good enough, and he’ll work it out,” he said.

“Because of that self-belief, he’ll know he’s got some other tricks to go to when that happens.

“Now he’s on the radar, and that’s the important part.”

With Renegades batsman Marcus Harris called into Australia’s Test squad, it is possible Hatzoglou’s first BBL foray will last beyond two games.

Carlton gun Brayden Stepien played two matches for the Renegades last season as an injury replacement player but was overlooked for a contract.

He has started the Premier Cricket season in red-hot form, producing knocks of 50, 157 not out and 88.

Keely said the gap between the leading players in Victoria’s pre-eminent cricket competition and those plying their trade at the next level was not as great as perceived.

Hatzoglou’s efforts could also help present opportunities for more players in coming years.

“It’s exciting, it gives hope to everyone,” Keely said.

The Renegades will face the Sydney Sixers on Sunday night, with Hatzoglou set to have another chance to showcase his ability.