Quick rise to Stardom
Coaches say world is Couch’s oyster
FORMER Australian white ball star Clint McKay has been stunned by Brody Couch’s “exceptional” start to his BBL career, declaring the “world is his oyster”.
The Geelong quick was drafted into the Melbourne Stars squad as a replacement player on the eve of the season and has impressed from the outset, taking six wickets in four matches and bowling with an economy rate of 8.23 in the tricky later overs of the innings.
Stars coach David Hussey mused after a win over the Sydney Thunder in the club’s third game of its campaign that Couch could be a future Australian prospect.
McKay, an assistant coach at the Stars, agreed there was no limit on where Couch’s bowling could take him.
The two first crossed paths in Premier Cricket, when McKay faced a young Couch while playing for Essendon.
“The world is his oyster at the moment, he has the potential to be whatever he wants to be,” McKay said.
“What we love, and you don’t see much around, is he is very good in the middle overs and in the back end, which is very hard to find in quick bowlers.
“He has the making to be an outstanding death bowler as well, so if he continues his development, who knows where he will be in three, four, five years’ time.”
A skilful fast bowler who took 97 one-day wickets for Australia at 24.37 apiece, while playing one Test match and six T20 internationals, McKay said he was impressed by Couch’s speed and control.
But it was the 22-yearold’s ability to hit his spots when needed that stood out.
“You worry about a young player and how he will handle bowling to some of the best players in the world, but the way he has kept his composure and delivered under pressure has been exceptional,” McKay said.
“I’m absolutely thrilled with the progress he has been making but it has all been on him and the way he prepares and the conversations he has.
“And that showed when we had the likes of Andre Russell and Nathan CoulterNile come into the squad that (Couch) actually kept his spot.
“That is how happy (we are with him) and the high praise we have for him at the moment because he has actually been our form fast bowler.
“The way he has bowled has been great, and he has jelled with the group amazingly well and he is just a great human being. We have loved what he is doing.”
Couch is in the Stars’ 15man squad to face the Hobart Hurricanes on Friday, alongside Geelong spinner Tom O’Connell.