Geelong’s Callum Stow and Ollie Peake available for selection for the Melbourne Renegades

A Geelong tweaker has overcome a back complaint and is available for selection with the Melbourne Renegades’ BBL opener just days away at Kardinia Park.

New Zealand's Tim Seifert bats has returned for his second BBL season with the Melbourne Renegades. Picture: Sanka Vidanagama / AFP.

Melbourne Renegades batter-keeper Tim Seifert will be right to play on Monday night in the franchise’s Big Bash opener against the Brisbane Heat at Kardinia Park despite suffering a broken digit early last month.

The 30-year-old was ruled out of the Black Caps’ T20 series against the West Indies after suffering a broken right index finger playing for Northern Districts against Wellington at domestic level in Hamilton.

Seifert, who signed with the Renegades before the 2024-25 BBL season as an international pre-draft selection on a two-year deal, was confident of being able to contribute in the Gades’ opener against the Heat, whether he takes the gloves or not.

Before the injury, Seifert made 48 against Australia in a T20 international back in October then followed it up with scores of 39 and 23 not out against England.

Tim Seifert gets creative against the Sydney Sixers at the SCG on December 16, 2024. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images.

“I had my first proper net today,” Seifert said on Tuesday.

“The actual break is fine, it’s just getting the confidence of being back and facing a ball ... getting the strength back in the hand.

“It’s been in a splint the last four weeks. It’s good to be back into it and I’ll be available for the first game.

“(I’m) ready to go.

“It’s awesome to go to Geelong as well ... it’s always great to get the Geelong crowd there supporting us.”

Seifert struck a 19-ball unbeaten 37, and pouched a fine one hander down leg side, last December at GMHBA Stadium as the Renegades flogged eventual premiers Hobart Hurricanes by six wickets.

However, it was unclear if he or Pakistan recruit Muhammad Rizwan would take the gloves against the Heat on Monday.

He said he continued to work on his fielding if team balance required him to play just as a batter.

“That’s something we’re working out,” Seifert said, who scored 200 runs at 22 last summer for the Gades.

“Rizzy’s a great gloveman, I’ve done a bit of time in the outfield as well.

“We’ll just have to see what (senior coach) ‘Whitey’ wants to do there.

“It’s always something I have in the back of the pocket, not just rely on keeping.”

However, Seifert is also a Brendon McCullum disciple, having been in the Trinbago Knight Riders squad in the Caribbean Premier League in 2020 and Kolkata in the IPL, under the England coach’s tutelage.

McCullum previously described Seifert as a “special talent” and the pair play golf when their schedules align.

“Me and ‘Baz’ have a great relationship,” he said.

“We don’t live too far away from each other in New Zealand, we catch up when we can and play golf.

“I just use him as a sounding board, really, with potentially different conditions around the world that I may not have experienced, I get his two cents.”

The 30-year-old Cambridge product has played 77 T20 games for New Zealand.

Geelong young guns and BBL rookies available for selection

Geelong young guns and Big Bash rookies Callum Stow and Ollie Peake are available for selection for the Melbourne Renegades’ opening fixture in Geelong next Monday.

While Peake has been playing first class cricket for Victoria, and made 54 for the Prime Minister’s XI against the England Lions last month, spinner Stow has not appeared at any level due to a back issue.

Stow, who made his white ball debut with Victoria in September against Queensland, last played for Geelong in a Premier match in Round 1 against Ringwood, taking 4-36 from nine overs.

However, the Renegades have confirmed Stow is now back to full fitness and has been bowling in the nets.

The 23-year-old is on a one-year deal with the Renegades after making his debut against the Hobart Hurricanes in January, taking 1-31, after signing as a local replacement player.

He would later take 2-31 against the Brisbane Heat four days later.

Geelong teen star Ollie Peake clips the ball to leg for the Renegades against the Brisbane Heat at Marvel Stadium on January 18, 2025. Picture: Mike Owen/Getty Images.

Renegades and San Francisco Unicorns teammate Tim Seifert said Stow was a “great talent” while Peake’s work in the nets had impressed the New Zealander.

“To have a left arm leg spinner as well, that’s a great tool to have in your squad, there’s not many going around either,” Seifert said.

“He’s very skilful and it’s exciting to see him getting better and better.”

Peake has played in all of Victoria’s six matches during the Shield season – compiling 229 runs at 22 – and made 54 from 55 balls against Western Australia in a 50-over match earlier this month.

The 19-year-old made his Big Bash debut in January with the Renegades, striking 19 against the Brisbane Heat at Marvel Stadium.

The Renegades play their opening match against the Heat at GMHBA Stadium on Monday.

A closed-to-the-public warm up match will be played on Friday.

Originally published as Geelong’s Callum Stow and Ollie Peake available for selection for the Melbourne Renegades