Melbourne Renegades face early test of depth without Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris
Melbourne Renegades will start this Big Bash season on the back foot without big hitters Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris but there are five players being considered to help replenish the firepower lost.
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Tim Ludeman headlines five Melbourne Renegades being considered to help replenish the firepower lost by Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris’s elevation to the Test team.
The Renegades are the only Big Bash club yet to reach the final and are set to start this summer’s tournament with their opening batsmen on duty leading Australia against India.
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The Gades host Perth Scorchers — who they have never beaten — on December 20 and have turned over six players since February’s one-run semi-final loss, including Dwayne Bravo (Stars) and James Pattinson (Heat).
But coach Andrew McDonald backed his “flexible” line-up to surprise.
“This is something that’s not new for us as a cricket team,” McDonald said.
“You’re always assembling your list based on a few ‘what ifs’.
“We’ve got Jack Wildermuth, who we believe at certain times can go to the top.
“We’ve got Mackenzie Harvey and Beau Webster. Cameron White can easily just slide up a spot and we put (Tom) Cooper to No.3 and have a stronger top order.
“Tim Ludeman played at the top last year when we had a similar predicament.”
Wicket-keeper Ludeman, 31, scored 61 runs as he floated up and down the batting order last summer but has previously played some devastating knocks as an opener for Adelaide Strikers.
Left-hander Harvey, 18, would help break up the Renegades’ clunk of right-handers if picked to debut while Webster played some blazing late-innings cameos late last season.
All-rounder Wildermuth averages just 13 runs but that is without serious exposure at the crease.
Finch — a foundation player who is the club’s heart-and-soul — and Harris boast both strike-rates north of 130 for the Renegades.
Finch’s 1669 runs ranks No.2 in BBL history.
The Scorchers will be without Cameron Bancroft (suspended) for the Marvel Stadium clash.
Bancroft’s ball-tampering ban ends nine days later and he will be rushed back for the Scorchers’ fourth BBL match.
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