Dan Christian may have won the player of the match in the Big Bash Final, but coach Andrew McDonald believes it’s Sam Harper who has stolen the hearts of the fans.
“I think the younger people in the Renegades fan base have got a new hero, so to speak,” he told SEN’s Whateley.
“His impact was incredible and sometimes it might not be the 50s that get you over the line but he definitely set up a lot of games for us.
“Number three isn’t an easy spot to bat but he made that his own. He was electrifying really, some of the shots he played.
“The way he played and took the game on and in an environment where you have to be brave, you’ve got to take it on, he did it.
“I can’t speak highly enough of him.”
Harper lost his contract with the Stars going into the season, but the unplanned departure of Marcus Harris enabled the wicketkeeper-batsman to grab a new opportunity at the Renegades.
“He wasn’t planning to play BBL,” McDonald said.
“As it was, we weren’t probably planning for Marcus Harris to play Test cricket in all honesty so he got a call-up.
“I made a phone call to him and he was really happy to come across and play.”
Harper was the leading run scorer for the Renegades this season with 335 from 15 matches.
Hear Andrew McDonald discuss Sam Harper’s season with Gerard Whateley in the player below.