Melbourne Renegades recruit Tim Seifert still chasing New Zealand Test career despite longterm BBL deal

He once played in a World Cup final for New Zealand against Australia but now Tim Seifert has made a trans-Tasman switch in a BBL coup, reports DANIEL CHERNY.

New Zealand’s Tim Seifert is joining the Melbourne Renegades. Picture: Joe Allison/Getty Images

He once played in a World Cup final for New Zealand against Australia but now Tim Seifert has made a trans-Tasman switch.

A top-order blaster and gloveman, Seifert, 29, has committed to the Melbourne Renegades as the club’s overseas pre-draft signing for the next two seasons.

In doing so, Seifert has turned his back on the New Zealand T20 Super Smash league, having declined a contract with Northern Districts.

He joins a growing list of Black Caps, including Trent Boult, Kane Williamson and Lockie Ferguson, to go freelance in recent years.

The riches of the short-form circuit are too appealing to be hamstrung by the relatively modest offerings back home.

Having knocked back that deal, Seifert has played franchise cricket in Sri Lanka, is now in Canada, will be in Zimbabwe next month and potentially the UAE in November, all before he arrives in Melbourne in December for his maiden BBL campaign.

It’s a dizzying schedule, not to mention that wife Morgan is also expecting the couple’s second son later in the year.

Tim Seifert in action in the Lanka Premier League (LPL). Picture: Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP

Yet even after choosing to prioritise the revolving wardrobes of short-form cricket, he hasn’t completely given up hope of playing Test cricket to add to his three one-day internationals and 61 T20s for the Black Caps, which included defeat to the Aussies in the 2021 T20 World Cup decider.

“I’m not the only one that’s done it, and guys have have done it and played for New Zealand in the last few years,” Seifert said.

“I think that’s what helped make the decision a lot easier, (New Zealand Cricket’s) support and understanding where the cricket is these days.

“Because you look from where it is now to five years ago, it’s kind of changed dramatically.

“So it’s exciting times but it’s always a little bit nerve-racking at the same time because it is new ground, but their support helped make my decision a lot easier.

“I want to play as much cricket as I can back home in New Zealand as well when I’m free, so I’ll be available for all domestic games every opportunity I get back home.

“So that’s one thing that I pushed for them to understand as well, that I’m still wanting to play as much cricket back home in New Zealand.

Tim Seifert is still chasing the Test dream. Picture: Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images

“Making this decision maybe potentially has put that Test dream a little bit on the back burner but I still want to play four-day cricket and if I do, well, that makes me every chance of putting my name forward for Test selection.

“But if I don’t play Test cricket, then I gave it my best shot, and I can make my bed in the morning and know that’s the decision I made.”

After a disappointing second-bottom finish last season, the Renegades have turned over their list and replaced coach David Saker with Cameron White.

The Renegades used Joe Clarke and Quinton de Kock behind the stumps last season after the trade of Sam Harper to the Melbourne Stars but Seifert’s acquisition allows them greater certainty in the wicketkeeping role.

And with Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh and Nic Maddinson all gone, Seifert will also form part of a revamped top order alongside Josh Brown – who was poached from the Brisbane Heat after he turbocharged the side’s run to the title – and the rapidly rising Jake Fraser-McGurk.

Cameron White is the new coach of the Renegades.

“I haven’t worked with Cameron White before but have watched him smack that ball all around the park,” Seifert said.

“So I’m very excited to be working with him and chipping into his cricket brain and learning off him.

“Whether I open or three or four or wherever the team needs a me to bat, I think we’ll have a very powerful batting line-up. I think it’ll be an exciting one to watch.

“So hopefully we can give the Melbourne supporters, especially the Renegades, a bit of excitement to watch that white ball flying around the park.”

Former Australian white-ball representative Gurinder Sandhu has also joined the club to bolster its pace stocks.

Seifert follows compatriot Colin Munro (Heat) and English trio Chris Jordan (Hobart Hurricanes), Sam Billings (Sydney Thunder) and Tom Curran (Stars) to sign multi-year BBL deals before the draft.

It’s part of a mechanism implemented by Cricket Australia to incentivise overseas players to commit to full BBL seasons rather than depart mid-tournament for rival leagues in South Africa and the UAE, both of which have backing in India.

Originally published as Melbourne Renegades recruit Tim Seifert still chasing New Zealand Test career despite longterm BBL deal