Bartercard Premier All-Stars squad

In its second year, the 15-man side has seen a number of new additions, including Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers Aaron Ayre, Jake Haberfield and Ryan Sidebottom as well as 2013-14 Jack Ryder Medallist James Miller.

“It’s great to see guys like Miller and Haberfield included in the side as they are the genuine top performers in the competition,” Bartercard Premier All-Stars captain Andrew Kent said.

Australian Test representative Bryce McGain also features in the team along with Footscray Edgewater opener Dean Russ, who made his first-class debut for the Bushrangers last season.

“Dean Russ is a great story and is one that Premier cricketers should aspire to,” Kent said.

“He was rewarded for his performances last season and now has another platform in the All-Stars team to showcase his skills.”

In 2013-14, the All-Stars encountered a close battle with the Stars, losing narrowly in the final over of their match, before outplaying the Renegades in their clash.

“We are very pleased that this initiative has been embraced by both KFC T20 Big Bash League (BBL) teams and is now an annual fixture in the BBL pre-season,” Cricket Victoria Premier Cricket Strategy and Development Manager Mike Ronchi said.

Facing some of the best T20 cricketers in the world, the All-Stars will display their skills in front of a big crowd with the chance of furthering their cricketing opportunities.

Last season, James Muirhead’s performances in the All-Stars team helped to launch his international career, earning him a Stars contract along with fast bowler Jake Reed who gained a Renegades contract.

“This is a unique and wonderful opportunity and selection in the squad can lead to the possibility of being picked up by either BBL team, as was the case last season with James and Jake,” Ronchi said.

Members of the squad were nominated for selection by Bartercard Premier Cricket coaches while last year’s First XI Final coaches, Steve Chapman and Brendan Joyce, have been appointed coach and assistant coach respectively.

Bartercard Premier All-Stars Fixtures:
Who: Melbourne Stars
Where: MCG
When: Friday, December 12

Who: Melbourne Renegades
Where: Merv Hughes Oval, Footscray
When: Sunday, December 14

Bartercard Premier All-Stars squad
Andrew Kent (c) (Melbourne)
Ejaaz Alavi (Fitzroy Doncaster)
Aaron Ayre (Essendon)
Hayden Butterworth (Geelong)
Matt Chasemore (St Kilda)
James Crosthwaite (Footscray Edgewater)
Tom Donnell (Dandenong)
Jake Haberfield (Footscray Edgewater)
Simon Hill (Camberwell Magpies)
Ian Holland (Ringwood)
Bryce McGain (Prahran)
James Miller (Prahran)
Dean Russ (Footscray Edgewater)
Chris Salm (Carlton)
Ryan Sidebottom (Carlton)

Coach: Steve Chapman
Assistant Coach: Brendan Joyce