Renegades well-set for a genuine tilt at successive titles

MEN'S BIG BASH LEAGUE PREVIEW - MELBOURNE RENEGADES: Having used the off-season effectively the only thing that might deny the team back-to-back victories is complacency

The Cricketer | 10/12/2019 at 16:10

Coach: Michael Klinger

Captain: Aaron Finch

Overseas players: Harry Gurney (England), Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan), Richard Gleeson (England)

Australia national team players: Aaron Finch, Dan Christian, Marcus Harris, Shaun Marsh, Kane Richardson

Last season: Winners

How did they do last season?

Aaron Finch's side broke their duck at the eighth time of asking following their semi-final defeat in 2017-18. The preliminary stage saw them finish second only on net run-rate from the Sixers after a campaign punctuated by some heavy victories. Come the knock-out stage it was a Dan Christian show, as two man-of-the-match performances secured the title.

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Key players?

Shaun Marsh: With a formidable domestic T20 record, even at 36 Marsh's arrival from Scorchers looks like a bit of a coup for the defending champions. Unlikely to be called upon by his country this Australian summer, it could be a really fruitful campaign for the left-hander in amongst a batting line-up which already packs a punch.

Dan Christian: Produced when it mattered most during last season's competition, with both bat and ball. Scores of 31 and 38 dug the Renegades out of trouble in the knock-out phase before the Stars chase in the final saw him take two catches and two wickets to seal their maiden title.

Mohammad Nabi: Only available after eight matches due to his participation in the Bangladesh Premier League, Nabi is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after players on the white-ball circuit. Striking in the 140s with the bat and a touch above 20 with the ball means that despite what might be a short campaign the 34-year-old could have a tangible impact.

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^{There will be no time for batsmen to relax with Harry Gurney around}

Strengths

There are very few weaknesses in terms of personnel with the Renegades. They have strikers of international calibre in the batting line-up and a credible bowling attacking supplemented by Harry Gurney. There are even young players emerging likes Jake-Fraser McGurk and Mackenzie Harvey.

Weaknesses

Bar complacency, it would be fair to say there won't be much cohesion as far a selection is concerned. Finch will leave for the ODI series against India in January, Richard Gleeson is around for eight matches before Nabi arrives. Marcus Harris is back in the picture and might be one of the few mainstays.

England involvement

White-ball gun-for-hire Harry Gurney is an outsider for England's World Cup squad but another competition where he exhibits his ability at the death might see him looked at more seriously. Ten wickets at 7.17 per over represented a solid 2018-19 outing. Gleeson, meanwhile, may not have any international aspirations but his solid record at home makes him a reliable performer.

Squad: Aaron Finch, Faheem Ashraf, Cameron Boyce, Dan Christian, Tom Cooper, Zak Evans, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Harry Gurney, Sam Harper, Marcus Harris, Mackenzie Harvey, Jon Holland, Shaun Marsh, Joe Mennie, Mohammad Nabi, Kane Richardson, Will Sutherland, Beau Webster, Jack Wildermuth, Richard Gleeson