Callum Stow called up to Melbourne Renegades Academy team for NT tournie

Geelong’s fast-emerging wrist spinner Callum Stow is among the contingent of Victorian Premier players tapped to play in the expanded Top End T20 series.

Callum Stow launches into an appeal for the Cats.

The Melbourne Renegades Academy team will have a stowaway for the Top End T20 series this month.

Callum Stow, that is.

The Geelong left-arm spinner will get the chance to show his white-ball wares when he plays for the Gades at the expanded tournament in the NT.

The call-up is more recognition for the wrist spinner, who last season gained team-of-the-year honours in Victorian Premier Cricket and a few weeks ago was named in Cricket Victoria’s “targeted rookie program’’.

Stow, 21, captured 32 wickets at 21.31 for the Cats in 2023-24, in the process winning glowing notices from his coach, Nick Speak, and Victorian cricket great Brendan “Bushy’’ McArdle.

His best hauls came against Greenvale Kangaroos (6-68 off 32.5 overs) and Kingston Hawthorn (6-44 off 16.5 overs). But his T20 performances were also encouraging: against St Kilda, for example, he took 2-17 off four overs, picking up the wickets of Test men Marcus Harris and Peter Handscomb.

At the behest of Speak, McArdle organised for Stow to play club cricket in the UK in 2022. It was for Urmston in the Cheshire County League and the slowie took 52 wickets.

McArdle has followed Stow’s progress and believes he is a terrific prospect.

“I think he’s very good,’’ he told CODE Sports this year. “He’s got zip and he’s a bit hard to read and he’s getting better. A lot of people have got high hopes for him.’’

Callum Stow sends one down for Geelong. Picture: Glenn Ferguson

CV talent development manager Tom Evans said today: “Callum’s going really. He obviously had a really strong year in Premier Cricket last year and he’s been training the last couple of weeks in preparation for Darwin.

“He’s bowling really nicely, good overspin and bounce. We’re looking forward to seeing how he goes.’’

A number of other Victorian Premier players will be involved in the Top End T20 series for the either the Renegades or Stars, including newcomers Blake Macdonald and Tom Brooks.

Both have headed to Melbourne in search of more opportunities at first-class level. MacDonald signed at St Kilda and Brooks at Prahran.

Saints quickie Matt “Chook’’ Hennig and Northcote spinner Joe Medew-Ewen will also play in the tournament, as will Carlton all-rounder Connor Rutland, one of the stars of the Blues’ enthralling grand final victory over Casey South Melbourne last season.

Footscray left-armer Max Birthisel, who is already playing in Darwin, is another who will link with the Melbourne BBL teams.

All players will be in for a short and sharp burst of cricket: nine teams will each play six games across 10 days, culminating in finals on August 18.

Pakistan and Bangladesh will field representative teams and five-time BBL champions Perth Scorchers, Adelaide Strikers and Tasmanian Tigers have entered sides for the first time.

Defending champion the NT Strike, ACT Comets and the Renegades and Academy sides round out the competition.

St Kilda speedster Matt Hennig.

“We’re thrilled the Top End T20 Series will expand this year and continue to bring the best emerging domestic and international talent to the Northern Territory,’’ NT Cricket CEO Gavin Dovey said.

“To have two cricket powerhouses in Pakistan and Bangladesh now participating alongside half of the Big Bash League franchises is a testament to the potential of winter cricket in the Territory.”

Melbourne Stars GM Blair Crouch said: “We are thrilled to be returning to the Northern Territory for the third year in a row with the Melbourne Stars Academy.

“This tournament plays an important role for us in identifying young talent within the T20 system in Victoria and gives invaluable experience to our contracted players and those in the academy by being able to experience tournament conditions in what is traditionally the middle of their pre-season.’’