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BENDIGO'S Liam Bowe has wasted little time making a big impression on the Big Bash League competition.
The Melbourne Stars recruit claimed the prize wicket of big-hitting Adelaide Strikers opening bat Ben Dunk with the final ball of his first over at the MCG on Tuesday night.
Bowe, a left-arm leg spinner who previously played with Sandhurst in the BDCA, bowled with poise and control to finish with the tidy figures of 1-21 off three overs.
The 19-year-old was a key factor in the Stars' effort to restrict the Strikers to 8-152 off their 20 overs.
It's been a rapid rise to prominence for Bowe, who was chosen in the Futures League Academy in mid-2016 and only this season made his Premier Cricket First XI debut with Essendon.
The Stars rookie received a call-up to the main squad on Monday following the selection of all-rounders Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner and leg-spinner Adam Zampa in the Australian one-day squad.
Bowe made an immediate impression on his high-profile Stars teammate and former English Test star Kevin Pietersen, who labelled his effort as "magnificent".
"I'd love to be the consummate professional and say this wasn't the first time I saw him bowl, but it was," he said.
"So I am mightily impressed."
Bowe's second over won rave reviews from within the Channel 10 commentary box, with former Australian Test skipper Ricky Ponting, speedster Damien Fleming and wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist lavishing praise on the youngster after he conceded just six singles to BBL star Brad Hodge and Strikers teammate Tim Ludeman.
Fleming, who took 75 Test and 134 one-day wickets, complimented Bowe on his control
"What I like in that first (over), even though they were going after him, he landed the ball really well," he said.
"There was no full-tosses or half-trackers, he was very consistent in his length.
"It's a great start for the youngster."
Liam Bowe was the number trending handle on Twitter within minutes of his first wicket.
