BBL berth for local quick

Lance Morris is the latest local sports star to be plucked out of the South West.

The Dunsborough cricketer was recruited by Big Bash League heavy hitters the Melbourne Stars.

An emerging fast bowler nicknamed “The Wild Thing” due to the speed of his deliveries and his unpredictable bouncers, Morris became noticed by taking 6-35 in a Toyota Future’s League match against Queensland.

He said he was on his way to watch the Australian Test side play against India on the Sunday after a game for his club side Scarborough when he got the call from Stars assistant coach Trent Woodhill.

“It was a really bad line so all I could hear was ‘Melbourne Stars’ and ‘BBL’ so I just said ‘100 per cent’, I didn’t even know who had called,” he said.

“I hung up and thought — is this real?

“My manager then called and asked if I could be on the 5pm flight”

The Dunsborough Cricket Club junior said the first few days had been a whirlwind and Western Warrior Marcus Stoinis had taken him under his wing.

The young quick has had a good month on the field recently taking 5-76 with three maidens against Claremont-Nedlands.

But it was a nets session when the Australian team was in Perth where Australian bowling coach David Staker took an interest in Morris and later recommended him to Stars coach Stephen Fleming.

“All the coaching staff have been really welcoming, Flem is a pretty laid-back guy,” Morris said.

With the Stars hit by injury Morris was named in the squad for their opening match with the Sydney Thunder but could be thrown into action if all-rounders Dwayne Bravo or Stoinis got hurt.

“It’s been a great experience already, even just hanging around with world-class cricketers, guys like DJ (Bravo) who rocks up to training with gold sunnies on,” Morris said.

“I’m really looking forward to bowling to talented batsmen like Stoinis and Maxwell,” he said.

“Hopefully I can get a game, and prove myself.”