Sunshine United secures Australia international James Muirhead as captain-coach

Sunshine United has secured one of local cricket’s biggest names, appointing former Australia international James Muirhead as captain-coach.

James Muirhead has been appointed Sunshine United coach.

Sunshine United as secured one of local cricket’s biggest names as captain-coach for 2024-25.

Former Australia international James Muirhead as signed on at Selwyn Park, stepping up to VTCA Senior Division from Division 2 club Newport-Digman.

Muirhead played five T20 Internationals for Australia and featured in the 2014 World T20 tournament in India.

The 30-year-old produced an outstanding season for Newport-Digman, earning Team of the Year honours.

He scored 294 runs at an average of 32.67 and captured 20 wickets at 13.30.

However, it was time for a fresh start for himself and the Bulls.

“I had a good two and a half years at Newport-Digman, they were very welcoming and it was a great experience getting back into cricket after a year off,” Muirhead said.

“I felt the club needed a different direction and someone else to take over and hopefully I leave them in good stead to move forward.

“I haven’t met everyone (at Sunshine United) yet but it’s a proud, successful club and they’ve been looking for an outside coach for a while and hopefully I fit the criteria.

“Hopefully I can embed some leadership qualities that I’ve learnt over the years and players can do the job around me.

“(Premiership contention) is definitely the goal.

“We believe with the squad we’ve got for the coming season – a mix of new players and quality young Sunshine United cricketers – we only see success and fun times at the club.”

The Tigers finished eighth this season with just three wins from 12 games, avoiding relegation by six points.

Dhanushka Kumara was the club’s leading run-scorer with 309 at an average of 25.75, while Matthew Sipala finished with 284 and Buddhika Algewatta compiled 256.

With the ball, Tom O’Brien snared 18 wickets at 21.94, ahead of Hamza Ali (13) and Algewatta (12).

Algewatta was rewarded with the club best-and-fairest.

Together with Muirhead, United has secured dangerous spinner Shehan Wedikkara from Senior Division runner-up Sydenham-Hillside.

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Wedikkara claimed 24 scalps this season, fifth most in the competition, including a five-wicket against the Tigers.

Despite Muirhead’s class, he said his focus was on promoting his teammates and young talent at the club.

“I’m not focused on individual performance to be honest, I get a lot out of team success and other people succeeding,” he said.

“At Newport I came into the game when needed and preferred to blood young talent to get experience under the belt.”