The Melbourne Renegades have tried a number of plans to try and bring Big Bash League glory to the Victorian state but nothing has really worked for them so it will be interesting to see what gameplan they have compiled for this season, and whether they have any success with it. They forced their way into the finals last term only to lose to the eventual champions Adelaide Strikers in the semi-finals. They will be out to go two steps further this year.
Stats
Last Season: 3rd
Captain: Aaron Finch
Overseas Players: Mohammad Nabi & Usman Khan Shinwari (Harry Gurney to replace)
Key Player: Dan Christian
Best Odds: 15/2 888sport
Predicted Finishing Position: 7th
Fixtures
Thursday December 20 – Perth Scorchers (h)
Sunday December 23 – Adelaide Strikers (a)
Saturday December 29 – Sydney Sixers (h)
Tuesday January 1 – Melbourne Stars (a)
Thursday January 3 – Adelaide Strikers (h)
Monday January 7 – Hobart Hurricanes (h)
Thursday January 10 – Brisbane Heat (a)
Sunday January 13 – Brisbane Heat (h)
Wednesday January 16 – Sydney Sixers (a)
Saturday January 19 – Melbourne Stars (h)
Tuesday January 22 – Sydney Thunder (a)
Monday January 28 – Perth Scorchers (a)
Wednesday January 30 – Sydney Thunder (h)
Thursday February 7 – Hobart Hurricanes (a)
Squad
Cameron Boyce, Dan Christian, Tom Cooper, Zak Evans, Aaron Finch, Marcus Harris, Mackenzie Harvey, Jon Holland, Tim Ludeman, Joe Mennie, Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan), Kane Richardson, Usman Khan Shinwari (Pakistan), Will Sutherland, Chris Tremain, Beau Webster, Cameron White, Jack Wildermuth, Harry Gurney (England, international replacement)
Preview
The Renegades had their best season so far last term but whether they can replicate that this time around remains to be seen. They will not be helped by Aaron Finch being around even less than usual with his selection for the Test side and fellow opener Marcus Harris will be out too. Dwayne Bravo has swapped Melbourne sides this year and Brad Hodge has retired so the obvious question is to wonder what the ‘Gades have left with the bat.
One area where the Melbourne outfit should be covered is with the ball with all three of their overseas options being bowlers. Cameron Boyce and Dan Christian have come in as bowling options too so they have that area covered so their season is all about how their batsmen go and what they can deliver.
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Betting
Given the number of bowling options that the Renegades have I would suggest none of them stand out in what is actually a pretty competitive market so rather than think of situations where we can find the leader I’ll go to the batting market where there is a bit more clearer value given the prolonged absences of Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris.
Tim Ludeman has previously opened in this tournament in his Adelaide Strikers days and I’m expecting him to open the batting with someone without Finch and Harris around. Ludeman gets on with it and gives it a crack up front and at the Marvel Stadium that is the time to score the runs. I think the 13/2 on him being the leading scorer over the season is a decent enough price with him coming in before both men who are above him in the market.
Tips
Back T.Ludeman Top Melbourne Renegades Season Batsman for a 2/10 stake at 7.50 with 888sport
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