Melbourne Stars quick Liam Hatcher, player of the match against the Renegades, is thriving after his move to the BBL team this season from Sydney Thunder
Hatcher making the most of Stars opportunity
Liam Hatcher didn't have to think very hard when Melbourne Stars coach David Hussey called him last year to see if he was interested in a move south.
The opportunity to play regularly at the MCG for a KFC BBL team that was keen to have him on its list was simply too good to pass up.
The 24-year-old's decision is now paying dividends as the Stars' injury woes have worked in his favour.
Hatcher produced a player-of-the-match display in the Stars' six-wicket Melbourne derby win over the Renegades on Sunday night, taking 3-29 from four overs.
It was his third three-wicket haul in eight appearances for his new team.
"It's been nice to get the amount of opportunity I have," the New South Wales and former Sydney Thunder seamer said.
"We've had a lot of injuries, which has probably helped me, but it's not great for the team.
"Dilbar (Hussain) going down second game and Coults (Nathan Coulter-Nile) has missed a lot of games, so I've probably been the beneficiary of that, but it's been nice and I'm loving every minute of it."
The Stars have also lost Pakistan quick Haris Rauf, who has been called up for international duty, but expect to regain pace spearhead Coulter-Nile before the finals.
"We saw this year in the IPL he (Coulter-Nile) is a fantastic player with bat and ball," Hatcher said.
"He hits a long ball and he's one of the best in the world with the new ball and the old ball.
"He's a massive part of us and we can't wait to have him back and I'm sure he'll help us go to a new level."
On top of Sunday's sharp bowling performance, Hatcher also dropped a catch and was later involved in a heavy mid-wicket collision with Sam Harper, chasing a skied ball as the diminutive Renegades wicketkeeper took off for a run.
Both men were left sore but carried on and played out the match.
Sam Harper making a habit of running into people mid-pitch! 🤕 Thankfully, both guys are ok 👍 @KFCAustralia | #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/PwLZMB9qBp— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 17, 2021
"I've got about 20 messages already saying that (Harper) dominated me there, so I'm sure we'll see (replays) for a couple of years to come," Hatcher said.
"I was going for the catch and I sort of saw what was happening, looked away and looked back and tried to almost cuddle it.
"He was having none of that and tried to run straight through me.
"I think he won and he's about a foot shorter than me, so I'll cop that."