Geelong to host the Melbourne Renegades’ first Big Bash League match of the summer

The Melbourne Renegades are set to return to GMHBA Stadium for its first home fixture for the second time in its history as their captain plots a return from a season-ending knee injury.

Geelong will host the Melbourne Renegades’ first home game of the season for the second time in the franchise’s history in December.

While its total number of home games for the season has been trimmed from seven to five under a competition overhaul, the Renegades will kickstart its 2023-24 campaign at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday, December 10 against the Perth Scorchers.

Geelong also hosted the Renegades’ first home game in 2019, and has held nine Renegades’ matches in total at GMHBA Stadium since its first in January, 2018.

The league announced in January plans for a shortened, 43-game competition for this summer.

Renegades captain Nic Maddinson, on the comeback trail after injuring the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in a New Year’s Day fixture against the Scorchers at Marvel Stadium last season, said he welcomed a reduced schedule.

Melbourne Renegades captain Nic Maddinson hits out against the Sydney Sixers at GMHBA Stadium in December, 2022. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images.

He said it would allow franchises to attract better players, with some at risk of leaving mid-campaign due to commitments elsewhere under long campaigns.

He said five home games per season was a good number with the previous tally of seven “a bit of a stretch”.

“As a player, you definitely want to play as much as you can,” Maddinson said.

“But I think they’ve settled on the right number at the moment.

“I think it’s a good thing for the competition because then you get the best players for the longest period of time as well.”

Maddinson leaves the field on a medical cart after injuring his knee against the Perth Scorchers on January 1 this year. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images.

Meanwhile, Maddinson said Geelong continued to be a great location to grow the franchise’s loyal following.

“It’s a pretty good fanbase down there,” he said.

“It’s a great sporting town, and every time we go there we get great support.

“Some pretty exciting things happened in the game last year, a couple of guys hit balls out of the stadium.”

Renegades general manager James Rosengarten said the support from the region was a key focus for the club and the franchise was “thrilled” to show further commitment to Geelong.

“Our membership and fan base in Geelong is strong and continually growing, so we cannot wait to play our first home game at GMHBA Stadium,” Rosengarten said.

The Renegades played fixtures against the Brisbane Heat and the Sydney Sixers at GMHBA Stadium on December 21 and 30 last year respectively.

The 2023-24 BBL fixture is set to drop on July 6.

Originally published as Geelong to host the Melbourne Renegades’ first Big Bash League match of the summer