SuperCoach BBL: The hunters become the hunted – a Melbourne Renegades Study Guide
The hunter have become the hunted – last year, they claimed their maiden Big Bash League trophy, but seem to have bolstered their line-up with the addition of Shaun Marsh...but what will their season be like from a SuperCoach perspective?
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What a season BBL|08 was for the Melbourne Renegades. Last year, they claimed their maiden Big Bash League trophy from third position on the ladder at the conclusion of the season.
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Staring down the barrel of a potentially embarrassing defeat, the Renegades took out their first Big Bash League title as cross-town rivals the Stars suffered a stunning collapse.
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It was all on the back of an outstanding conclusion to the season by their bowling line-up in particular – the likes of Kane Richardson, all-rounder and worldwide short-form cricket specialist Dan Christian, spinner Cameron Boyce, and international imports Usman Khan Shinwari and Mohammad Nabi dominated proceedings.
The hunters now find themselves the hunted.
Aaron Finch was missing the bulk of the season with the Test side and struggled to adjust to the pace upon return to the Big Bash — so he’ll be better for a likely full season this time around. With his and Harris’ likely availability, plus the acquisition of Shaun Marsh, the ‘Gades look bolstered in the batting line-up
It could be just as well – Tom Cooper was one of the heroes in the decider last season but if this cryptic tweet is to be believed, he has flown the nest to the Hurricanes (we’ve left him in the table below, for now). Their bowling stocks have also taken a hit; Shinwari will not be down under this summer, while Kane Richardson will likely miss a chunk of the season with ODI duties in India.
THE STAR: DAN CHRISTIAN | BAT / BWL | 68.9 avg. in BBL|08 | $197,600 in BBL|09
Christian performs when it counts: in his last five games of the previous SuperCoach season he averaged 95 points per game and had two monster performances – a 158 point effort against the Scorchers and then a 126 point outing in the grand final against the Stars – and on only one of those games did he fail to crack less than 59 points. With higher honours, it’s just a matter of the domestic T20 serial winner (he seemingly picks up trophies wherever he lands) staying fit and in-form to make him a highly valuable member of any SuperCoach BBL side.
THE BURN MAN: KANE RICHARDSON | BWL | 74.5 avg. | $214,300
Bowlers who do not have DPP flexibility might not be fashionable when it comes to SuperCoach BBL, but Kane Richardson is an exception – he was fourth-most for total points last season, fifth for season-long average, and yet was #30 for most-selected at the end of the season. Crazy! He’s a proven SuperCoach BBL gun. The only caveat may be that he will likely be in the touring party for the Australian tour to India in January, missing a big chunk of the Big Bash season as a result.
MORE SUPERCOACH BBL NEWS:
> How dots can make SuperCoach BBL difference
> Which stars have started their white ball season well?
> Plan your season – when teams are on byes, who has double rounds, and international disruption
> Shane Warne’s star-studded SuperCoach team
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THE YOUNG GUN: JAKE FRASER-McGURK | BAT / BWL | $42,000
The 17-year old is the youngest Victorian on debut since Cameron White in 2001, and the third-youngest male debutant in Victorian cricket history. That’s a sure-fire indication that the kid can play a bit; it’s also a good sign that he’s been permitted to don the #23 that Shane Warne used to call his own. His Premier League form hasn’t been anything to write home about but his Vic 2nd XI scores have thrust him into the spotlight, helped somewhat by the absence of Victorian regulars suiting up with Australia A and both Nic Maddinson and Glenn Maxwell currently battling mental health issues. He’s certainly an exciting prospect and an option at basement-level price.
THE POINT OF DIFFERENCE: AARON FINCH | BAT | 41.4 avg. | $167,000
Finch might be out of favour for a Test call-up for the first part of the summer, but he’s a sure-fire winner when it comes to SuperCoach BBL selection. Without the distraction of switching between red ball and white ball cricket, there’s every chance that Finch could form a lethal one-two-three at the top of the Renegades’ order along with Marcus Harris and their new teammate Shaun Marsh.
THE BREAKOUT CONTENDER: WILL SUTHERLAND | BAT / BWL | 17.0 avg. | $42,000
Unlucky to break down with injury on the eve of last season’s Big Bash tournament, Sutherland is a veteran compared to his new teammate Jake Fraser-McGurk. But the two Victorian youngsters seem certain to power the ‘Gades in years to come. With Sutherland’s ability with bat and ball he looms as the sort of player who could be far more valuable than his low pricepoint would indicate, particular with DPP flexibility, two double game weeks (one in Round 5, then another in Round 13), and only one bye week (Round 10).
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MORE SUPERCOACH BBL STUDY GUIDES:
> Adelaide Strikers SuperCoach BBL|09 preview
> Brisbane Heat SuperCoach BBL|09 preview
> Hobart Hurricanes BBL|09 preview
THE MID-PRICER: SAM HARPER | WKP / BAT | 37.6 avg. | $108,100
The only player on the ‘Gades list, at the time of publication, to be eligible to be selected as both a WKP and a BAT, makes for Harper for being an intriguing selection option ahead of the BBL|09 season. In theory his job security should be good, but his scoring ability is no doubt influenced by his position in the batting line-up, and with the likes of Finch, Harris, and now Marsh as likely teammates, plus Christian as well, it’s hard to see him being a regular in the top order. He looks to be a potential downgrade option as the season progresses.
MELBOURNE RENEGADES BBL|09 SQUAD:
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Originally published as SuperCoach BBL: The hunters become the hunted – a Melbourne Renegades Study Guide
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