Premier Cricket 2018-19: Essendon duo Aaron Ayre and Clint McKay sharing captaincy during BBL

AARON Ayre will share Essendon’s captaincy with Clint McKay until the end of the Big Bash League season as the veteran seamer juggles playing with a role at Melbourne Stars.

Essendon's Aaron Ayre has stepped back into the captain’s role. Picture: Arj Giese.

AARON Ayre will share Essendon’s captaincy with Clint McKay until the end of the Big Bash League season as the veteran seamer juggles playing with a role at Melbourne Stars.

McKay was a late addition to the Stars’ coaching line-up and has missed Essendon’s Round 9, 10 and 11 matches due to BBL commitments.

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Ayre, who handed the captaincy to McKay ahead of the 2018-19 campaign, has assumed the role in his absence.

The Bombers have been forced to juggle their line-up in recent matches, with first-choice spinner Liam Bowe a member of the Stars squad.

“(McKay) is involved from a coaching level doing their strategy stuff at the Stars,” Essendon coach Mitch Johnstone said.

“It’s a bit tricky to cover those two. But we couldn’t be happier that Liam is getting the opportunity and Clint is developing his coaching skills at that level.”

Paceman Andy Warrick has replaced McKay with aplomb, snaring six wickets in four matches including a haul of 5-44 on debut against Ringwood.

“He’s made a very impressive start to his First XI career,” Johnstone said.

Johnstone said he would have several “welcome selection headaches” when McKay returns, with ex-Victorian rookie quick Tom O’Donnell “edging closer to full fitness”.

Clint McKay charges in for Essendon earlier this summer. Picture: David Smith.

Essendon also has Matt Doric and Louis Cameron in its pace battery, while spinner James Seymour has been a revelation with the ball.

Fellow tweaker Liam Molloy has impressed since being called on to replace Bowe in a further sign of the club’s bowling depth.

The Stars season will wrap up on Sunday, February 10, unless they qualify for BBL finals, and there will be at least two rounds of the Premier season remaining when McKay and Bowe are due to return full-time.

Bowe made his first appearance of the BBL season against Perth Scorchers on January 9 and also featured against Adelaide Strikers and Hobart Hurricanes.

Johnstone said the left-arm spinner would be a key figure upon his return as Essendon pushes for a drought-breaking First XI premiership.

“I think we’ll see the best of him in Essendon colours in the next few weeks after the BBL,” he said.

The Bombers are third on the ladder after a four-wicket win over Footscray on Saturday.

Ayre led the successful run chase with 52 from 67 balls as the Bombers reeled in the Dogs’ 6-193 with three overs to spare.

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