Reigning EJ Cleary medal winner Sam Burgess is open to returning to Ballarat-Redan for the next Ballarat Cricket Association season.
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However, club president Paul Aikman said his return will depend on his contract situation in England.
The Englishman was set to play for Kent in the English second XI competition over the European summer.
But with the season getting cancelled due to COVID-19, Burgess may be forced to play metropolitan cricket when he returns to Australia to elevate his value in hopes of earning new English contract.
Aikman said if Burgess can secure a contract with Kent for 2021, he will return to the BCA.
"Unfortunately with the COVID-19 virus the season was put on hold and he isn't sure if he'll be contracted when they start back," Aikman said.
"If he isn't, he will probably look to play elsewhere at a higher standard where he can make his mark and become more of a household name."
Should Burgess return, Aikman said there was potential of bringing another handy player from England with him.
Burgess emerged as a player to watch in the 2019-20 BCA season, showcasing all around brilliance at both ends of the wicket.
Playing every game for the club, he averaged 37 runs and took 32 wickets. He spearheaded a late-season turnaround, leading the club victory in four of its last five matches.
The effort resulted in him sharing the competition's top individual honour with with Wendouree's Cole Roscholler at season's end.
Despite his brilliance, Aikman said there was room for the import to improve should he return to the club.
"While I'm his biggest supporter, I'm also his biggest critic," he said.
"I expect him to be able to make more runs next year. While he made 550 runs, he made most of them in four hits and we play over a dozen games.
"I'd like to think he'd be more consistent next year and make between 750-800 runs and I think that's possible for him."
Aikman said Burgess was one of the best players to play in the BCA competition, but could occasionally lack respect for lesser bowlers.
He said there were times when he didn't play the ball on its merits.
"He exceeded expectations as a bowler, but not with the bat," he said.
"If he comes back next year, he knows he'll have more of a point to prove."
Ballarat-Redan struggled to win for large portions of the season, but found form late in the year to finish two spots outside of finals.
