Winless Melbourne Renegades must find their spark to be a chance in BBL09, coach Michael Klinger concedes
It’s the 0-4 start that no one saw coming. The reigning BBL champions must rediscover their “spark” to stand any chance of defending their title, coach Michael Klinger has conceded.
Big Bash
Don't miss out on the headlines from Big Bash. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Melbourne Renegades have the unenviable task of fighting to revive their BBL09 season but coach Michael Klinger has declared they have the mettle required to do so.
The Gades slumped to a fourth-straight loss on Sunday night to be the only BBL team without a win so far this season.
They will face the Sydney Sixers on Thursday night as Klinger admitted they would need to win at least seven of their remaining 10 games to be in with a shot at defending their title.
“If you had asked before the season, we certainly wouldn’t have wanted to be in this position right now,” the coach conceded.
“I suppose the advantage is two or three seasons ago when it was an eight game season, we would have almost been out of it.
“Now, with 10 games to go, you probably need to win seven to make the finals. We’re still very much in the mix, and we know that the boys have some improvement in them. We’re not losing games by massive margins, we’re just losing crucial moments in the game.
“I’m still confident we can turn it around.”
Skipper Aaron Finch delivered a half-century in the 18-run loss to the Strikers on Sunday night before coming one of three wickets to fall in a disastrous over that destroyed the innings.
Klinger said that “every facet” of the game had to be addressed and improved.
He said the team’s camaraderie could not be better but that match days had posed a different beast.
MORE BIG BASH LEAGUE NEWS:
SuperCoach BBL international calendar: When do overseas stars depart BBL09?
Adelaide Strikers superstar Rashid Khan gives spin bowling masterclass alongside Shane Warne
Why Shaun Marsh is the must-have SuperCoach BBL player from Melbourne Renegades
SuperCoach BBL Round 5: How you should fund a move for Melbourne Stars skipper Glenn Maxwell
BBL: Cricket umpire Greg Davidson causes furore with itchy nose gesture to overturn wicket decision
“It’s not the whole match — we’re not getting smashed — it’s just basically five or six overs of every game that’s costing us,” Klinger said.
“We understand that, and we’re trying to get it right. We haven’t done that yet and as a new coach coming in, it’s important for me to try and get that spark back in the boys so we turn it around really quickly.”
Klinger — a former Striker and Perth Scorcher who was appointed to the Renegades’ top job just three weeks before the season began — admitted it had presented a unique challenge for a new coach.
“From a coaching career, you want to make it successful and to be 0-4 starting out after being put into the job a couple of weeks before the tournament started, certainly it’s something that I would have hoped to be in a better position now, but its part of the game,” he said.
“I understand it as a player and now as a coach — things don’t always go as planned but it’s important to stick to your structure and your processes.
“I still believe we’re preparing well and we’ve just got to make sure we keep sticking to that and hope it turns around.”