BBL transfer news: Renegades eye Jason Behrendorff ahead of Sunday’s list deadline
Big Bash powerhouse the Perth Scorchers are set for a changing of the guard, with the Melbourne Renegades in the box seat to poach one of many off-contract stars ahead of Sunday’s list deadline.
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The Melbourne Renegades are in the box seat to pry veteran quick Jason Behrendorff from the Perth Scorchers as the traditional Big Bash League powerhouse confronts a likely changing of the guard.
And Behrendorff could be joined at the Renegades by Brendan Doggett, with the paceman – a member of Australia’s Test squad over the summer – a chance to depart the Adelaide Strikers.
The Hobart Hurricanes are poised to keep fringe Aussie paceman Riley Meredith despite strong interest from the Melbourne Stars, although breakout opener Mitch Owen and clinical finisher Tim David remain uncontracted for next season ahead of Sunday’s list deadline, after which any unsigned player will be free to walk in the BBL player movement window immediately following this season’s final.
Owen is being heavily courted by the Strikers, whose coach Tim Paine has a connection with the all-rounder from Tasmania.
David meanwhile has interest from the Stars, who will almost certainly lose recent Test cap Beau Webster to Hobart, where he started his BBL career.
Webster and Meredith had been a chance to trade places last off-season but both ultimately remained.
The Scorchers – the most successful BBL club since the competition’s launch - have several experienced players out-of-contract, including Behrendorff’s long-time seam ally Andrew Tye and spinning all-rounder Ashton Agar.
The trio have been key plans of Perth’s success over the past decade but with three wins from nine matches this season it’s believed the club’s hierarchy is keen to regenerate, leaving all three players potentially on the outer.
Behrendorff has been chased by the Renegades – another club to have underwhelmed this summer - with industry sources indicating that the 34-year-old left-armer is likely to end up in red next season.
He is the competition’s fifth-leading wicket-taker since its inception, and as of Thursday was third in BBL wickets this season.
Doggett is also out-of-contract and being chased by the bottom-of-the-table Renegades, who have also shown interest in Brisbane Heat batter Matt Renshaw.
World Cup winner Kane Richardson, a mainstay of the Renegades since joining the club from Adelaide in 2017, is doubtful to stay with the club next season.
Promising youngster Harry Dixon is also out-of-contract and has interest from rivals including the Strikers and Stars.
Sydney Thunder, who have had an excellent season, are believed to be looking to bolster their middle order. Spinner Tom Andrews, who has impressed as a replacement player, is in line for a spot on the club’s primary list.
Thunder coach Trevor Bayliss is due to fall out-of-contract at season’s end, as is Stars coach Peter Moores.
The 10-day BBL player movement window begins on January 28, with clubs unable to sign more than 10 players for next season before the period begins.
The concept was implemented late last year to encourage player movement in the immediate aftermath of the season.
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Originally published as BBL transfer news: Renegades eye Jason Behrendorff ahead of Sunday’s list deadline
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