BBL News 2024-5: Melbourne Renegades sack coach David Saker after dismal season

The Melbourne Renegades have pulled the trigger on a major coaching shake-up after a dismal summer in which they won just two matches.

The Melbourne Renegades are set to part ways with coach David Saker despite the former Australian bowling coach having a year to run on his contract.

Saker, 57, rejoined the Renegades in mid-2021 for a second stint as coach of the Big Bash League side, returning the club to the finals in 2022-23.

However after a poor season over the most recent summer in which the Renegades won just two matches and finished above only Sydney Thunder, multiple sources confirmed on Monday that Saker was set to depart his role ahead despite being contracted for the 2024-25 season.

The former Victorian and Tasmanian quick had previously coached the Renegades for a season before taking up a role with the Australian men’s side.

He also had several stints working with England, including during last year’s Ashes series.

Having won the BBL title five years ago, the Renegades have largely struggled since under coaches Michael Klinger and Saker.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 30: David Saker, coach of the Renegades looks on during the Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Renegades and the Perth Scorchers at Etihad Stadium on December 30, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Amid speculation about Saker’s future, Victorian bowling coach and former Tasmanian paceman Adam Griffith has been linked with the Renegades’ role.

Griffith – the bowling coach for IPL team Royal Challengers Bengaluru – joined the Vics’ coaching ranks in 2022, replacing Mick Lewis.

The 46-year-old’s experience also includes a stint with WA as bowling coach, with the Australian men’s team, and as Tasmania’s head coach in 2017 and the Hobart Hurricanes in 2018.

Aware of the need to lift the fortunes of its respective BBL sides, Cricket Victoria is on the hunt for twin high-performance roles to help the Melbourne Stars and Renegades.

It’s understood former Victorian captain Cameron White turned down one of the positions.

White, a former captain of the Melbourne Stars, is regarded as a BBL coach in waiting, having worked under the astute Greg Shipperd at the Sydney Sixers.

The Renegades have already bolstered their squad for next season with the signing of gun Brisbane Heat batter Josh Brown.

Originally published as BBL News 2024-5: Melbourne Renegades sack coach David Saker after dismal season