Why Melbourne’s Big Bash franchises’ trophy cabinets remain empty
MELBOURNE’S Big Bash teams were purposely created to contrast - the working class Renegades and the flashy Stars. But after six seasons there is one ugly similarity. Both trophy cabinets are bare.
Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
CRICKET Australia strategically created two Big Bash League franchises in Melbourne with a contrast.
The red team would play under a roof at Etihad Stadium. It would represent the working class, possess a gritty DNA and be called the Renegades. The city would be split geographically and it would take the western region.
On the east and playing at the lush MCG would be the Stars. The green team would be flashy.
Under chairman Eddie McGuire they would boast some of the world’s biggest names. Shane Warne would be the franchise’s face and he would later help recruit Kevin Pietersen.
Michael Clarke would sign as captain, although never play a game.
But after six seasons there is one ugly similarity. Both trophy cabinets are bare.
The Stars’ baseline has been the semi-finals. Their winning percentage of 58 is only behind triple-champion Perth Scorchers.
EXCLUSIVE: Warnie’s 10 best batsmen since Bradman
IPL MONEY: Big bucks beckon for Aussie stars
They’ve suffered five semi-final defeats and one grand final loss.
They’ve been cruelled by Australian ODI selections in those games, with the Melbourne Stars often becoming the Melbourne Soldiers come finals.
The Renegades dominated BBL02 but faltered in the semi-final and haven’t been back.
BELOW: EACH TEAMS’ BIG BASH SEASONS DISSECTED
“It’s a good point,” Stars coach Stephen Fleming says of the combined underachievement.
“And we’ve looked to change our approach and realign ourselves closer with the Renegades.
“There’s been a lot of manufactured rivalry and you can understand that as the franchise looks to bed itself down.”
“But apart from (derby games) I think if the Melbourne teams are going to compete there’s got to be a closer association between the two organisations.
“Both teams realise it’s too long gone without a trophy.
“Coming from when Victoria was so dominant and winning all competitions it shouldn’t sit right. So there’s a hunger there to do whatever it takes.”
If it’s not the Stars this summer, Fleming will be cheering for the Renegades.
Gades coach Andrew McDonald shares that attitude.
“Statistically we’ve been one of the poorer performing franchises,” McDonald said.
“I can’t say why either team hasn’t won it. The Stars have had the best opportunity, and I think now we’re giving ourselves a better opportunity.
“If you looked from the outside at the Stars’ list for the first six seasons you’d have to ask why they weren’t able to deliver.
“They had a fantastic list with all bases covered, a heavy Victorian focus with players that play together a lot.”
The Stars “got it right from the outset” by sticking with a familiar squad.
“That’s been the detriment of our previous lists,” McDonald said.
“That’s not being critical to predecessors, but there seemed to be a lot of chopping and changing and not a lot of continuity.”
Scorchers coach Justin Langer also believes continuity is a key in T20 and the Melbourne clubs have that.
But what they don’t have are the one-team town advantages. They own their marketplaces and have access to their state’s best facilities, venues, coaches and most of the players.
The Scorchers boast 14 local Shield players whereas the Gades have eight Bushrangers and the Stars seven.
There is a smoother transition from first-class cricket to Big Bash at clubs such as Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers.
Was it the right call to split Melbourne?
Long-time Bushrangers and inaugural Stars coach Greg Shipperd didn’t think so.
After the Stars’ fourth semi-final defeat he suggested CA bin the Gades.
“When Victoria was Victoria they won four of these things (T20 titles) in a row,” Shipperd said.
“So if they’re getting excited about WA (Perth Scorchers) winning two (in a row), we made five finals and won four in a row and lost the fifth one, so there you go.”
The Renegades weren’t removed, but Shipperd was. He shifted to Sydney to coach the Sixers.
But the two-team town excuse doesn’t totally wash given the Thunder and Sixers have both lifted the trophy.
McDonald was at the Thunder when they beat the Stars in the BBL05 final. He acknowledged the list challenges.
“It’s difficult. You’ve got two teams and it becomes competitive in one space,” he said.
Fleming said: “We accept that’s a challenge and so we have to work smarter”.
“The other towns have the opportunity of contracting players and having players all year round,” he said.
Cameron White believes the burden of expectation weighs heavily.
White wold know. The former Stars captain is in his third Renegade summer after four seasons in green.
“The build-up and the expectation from the franchises and people who run them are pretty big,” White said.
“It’s learning to deal with that. But it’s a game of cricket and you can’t win every game.
“Maybe the Stars or the Renegades have just neither been good enough to win it.”
Warne reckons the Stars will convert their first championship into a dynasty.
“Once they win it once they could really dominate,” he said.
Mark Waugh and Ricky Ponting are on red this season, while Fleming and McDonald would love a derby final.
But after six summers of sorrow there is a new approach — an alliance. Cricket Victoria’s teams are now Big Bash League buddies.
MELBOURNE RENEGADES
BBL01 7th (2-5)
Dodge wooden spoon on run-rate then lose Glenn Maxwell and Brad Hodge to the Stars, Shaun Tait and Andrew McDonald to the Strikers and Dirk Nannes to the Thunder.
BBL02 3rd (7-2)
New captain Aaron Finch the player of the series as Murali spins Renegades into pole position. But Brisbane Heat ride a Luke Pomersbach ton to a semi-final boilover at Etihad Stadium.
BBL03 6th (3-5)
Slipped from 2-2 to 2-5 after a pair of early losses to the invincible Stars. Summer of batting collapses and predictability a huge disappointment after blistering BBL02.
BBL04 6th (3-5)
Poached Matthew Wade (Stars) and Cal Ferguson (Strikers) to ease unhealthy reliance on Finch. But all-out for 57 in embarrassing 112-run derby loss to Stars wrecked season. Sacked coach Simon Helmot.
BBL05 5th (3-5)
Under new coach David Saker they rolled dice on Chris Gayle. Controversy marred a season where their impotent attack let them down. Lost every home game with a shocking imbalance between bat and ball.
BBL06 5th (4-4)
Lacked composure as they gassed last-over games against Scorchers, Sixers and Hurricanes. Dwayne Bravo ripped his hamstring as they were unlucky to miss semi-finals under Andrew McDonald, their third coach in as many seasons.
MELBOURNE STARS
BBL01 4th (4-4)
Yorker king Lasith Malinga takes 6-7 in Perth but he misses the semi-final rematch as Scorchers creep home by 11 runs.
BBL02 4th (5-4)
Stars thought they’d beaten Perth in the semi-final but James Faulkner pinged for a no-ball on last delivery. Bizarrely, Shane Warne didn’t bowl and Alex Keath leaked 0-27 in his sole over.
BBL03 3rd (8-1)
Tim Paine suggests they are rorting salary cap after a perfect group stage. Chairman Eddie McGuire threatens legal action on Paine and then Paine’s Hurricanes spoil the party as Stars choke in semi-final.
BBL04 4th (5-4)
Converted 0-3 start into fourth consecutive semi-final but another meltdown in Perth triggers the end of coach Greg Shipperd and captain Cameron White.
BBL05 2nd (6-4)
Cool new coach Stephen Fleming helps the Stars break their semi-final duck. KP whacks 74 in the MCG final but Usman Khawaja survives two close lbw calls as Sydney Thunder’s “Dream Team” salutes.
BBL06 4th (4-5)
Groundhog Day as Stars smashed by Perth in the semi-final with Maxwell, Zampa and Faulkner in the Australian ODI line-up. Fleming says “we’ve got to change”.
Crash: Why selectors distanced themselves from Smith’s decision
It’s no surprise Australia put a bomb under the plan to make Steve Smith an opener but it was a surprise who lit the fuse, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK.
Teen phenom in Test frame as selectors backflip on Smith plan
The picture for Australia’s first Test team is becoming clearer – with chief selector George Bailey revealing plenty after the announcement of the Australia A squad.