Melbourne Renegades BBL 2016-17 preview and futures betting

THE Chris Gayle experience is a thing of the past for the Melbourne Renegades.

The West Indian superstar was roundly decried for his cringeworthy “don’t blush baby” interview with Channel 10 reporter Mel McLaughlin and subsequently handed his marching orders at the end of last year’s Big Bash.

While the big draw card piled on the runs for the Renegades at a lightning fast clip, BBL05 was yet another unhappy hunting ground for the red side of Melbourne.

They missed the finals for the fourth time in five seasons – and third in a row – with Gayle the only reason people were taking notice.

And it was for all the wrong reasons.

So how can a side replace perhaps the best T20 batsman in history?

Skipper – and best bat – Aaron Finch said the Renegades had no shortage of options at the top, but were yet to make a decision.

“We’re probably going to have to sit down and work that out over the next week or so,” Finch said.

“There’s obviously Marcus Harris, Cam White, Callum Ferguson can all do that job so we’ll just see how we match up against Sydney Thunder in game one.”

The Renegades have beefed up their bowling attack with a couple of gun spinners in West Indian import Sunil Narine and cricket’s answer to Benjamin Button, Brad Hogg – perfect additions for the turning Etihad Stadium deck.

Marcus Harris took his talents to Victoria in the off season and his productive efforts should make him a very handy addition at the top of the order.

Throw in a healthy James Pattinson, a vastly improved Chris Tremain, Test man Peter Siddle and the consistent Nathan Rimmington and you have a bowling attack that is ready to light up the Big Bash’s best batsmen.

Look for superstar Aaron Finch to shake off his poor ODI form and come out blazing, with Cameron White and one Test wonder Callum Ferguson primed in the middle order.

Peter Nevill will likely take the gloves as Matthew Wade takes the stumps for the Aussies in Test and ODI formats now.

Finch says Sidds won’t be available in red until at least the New Year, as he battles a back injury, but the Renegades look to finally have the cover and should be targeting a top four finish at the very least.

Melbourne Renegades BBL06 futures betting

All markets provided by CrownBet.com.au

To win the Big Bash League – $8

To make the Top 4 – $1.44

To Reach the Final – +180

To have the Most Losses – $8.50

Top Melbourne Renegades Run Scorer:

Cameron White – $2.80

Marcus Harris – $3.50

Aaron Finch – $5

Callum Ferguson – $7

Tom Cooper – $8.50

Dwayne Bravo – $13

Tom Beaton – $15

Peter Nevill – +3300

Matthew Wade – $41

Matt Short – $67

Sunil Narine – $201

James Pattinson – $251

Guy Walker – $251

Xavier Doherty – $501

Nathan Rimmington – $501

Nick Winter – $501

Brad Hogg – $1001

Peter Siddle – $1001

Chris Tremain – $1001

Top Melbourne Renegades Wicket Taker:

Sunil Narine – $3.15

Dwayne Bravo – $3.50

James Pattinson – $5.50

Brad Hogg – $6.50

Nathan Rimmington – $7.50

Chris Tremain – $11

Peter Siddle – $17

Xavier Doherty – $21

Nick Winter – $34

Matt Short – $34

Guy Walker – $101

Melbourne Renegades players to watch

Cameron White

If White goes nuts in the Big Bash, like he has so far in both the Matador Cup and Sheffield Shield, it will be very hard for the Australian selectors to ignore. With a pair of centuries in the domestic one day competition, and then 307 runs at an average of 102.33 in the longer form, it feels like White should have a stronger claim to an Aussie spot than what he does at the moment. They’d love to have him in the middle order, but, with Gayle gone, he could very well be called upon to open with Aaron Finch. Those two blokes will probably have six hitting competitions every night.

Marcus Harris

Like his veteran teammate White, Marcus Harris has had a wonderful start to the Australian summer. He has more runs than any other player in Sheffield Shield cricket at this juncture and churned them out in the Matador Cup as well. A change of scenery has worked wonders for the former Western Australian and he is primed to open the batting and lead the charge with superstar Aaron Finch for the Renegades. While we said White could open, Harris is the man who will probably get first crack at Gayle’s vacant spot at the top of the order. The jury is still out, given that he only averages 19, but he’s been crunching them in the other domestic cops and there’s no reason why he can’t replicate that form for the ‘Gades.

James Pattinson

What a talent this kid is. If only he could stay healthy. He’s ready, set, go for the opening night of the Renegades’ Big Bash campaign, and we reckon there are a few Sydney Thunder batsman who might be a little nervous. Patto bowls absolute wheels when he is in full flight and, after missing the entire BBL05, you can expect him to come out breathing fire – and that is with both ball and bat. He might be considered an allrounder by the end of BBL06 if his club cricket exploits are anything to go by – he hit 137 of 64 deliveries for his Melbourne district side, Dandenong.

Chris Tremain

In a bowling attack featuring the likes of the aforementioned Pattinson and international veterans Dwyane Bravo, Sunil Narine, Peter Siddle and Brad Hogg, the Victorian beanpole Tremain might just be in the best form of the lot. He’s the third leading wicket taker in the Sheffield Shield this year and is set to join Pattinson in perhaps the most feared new ball pair in the Big Bash. At $11 for most Renegades wickets, he is worth a tiny drink.

BBL06 Melbourne Renegades squad

* denotes international player on Visa contract

Batsmen:

Aaron Finch (Captain)

Tom Beaton

Callum Ferguson

Marcus Harris

Cameron White

Tom Cooper

All-rounders:

Dwayne Bravo*

Wicketkeepers:

Matthew Wade

Peter Nevill

Seam bowlers:

Peter Siddle

Chris Tremain

James Pattinson

Nick Winter

Nathan Rimmington

Guy Walker

Spin bowlers:

Sunil Narine*

Brad Hogg

Xavier Doherty

Matthew Short

Melbourne Renegades Big Bash fixture list

Thursday, December 22 (7:40pm) vs Sydney Thunder at Etihad Stadium

Thursday, December 29 (7:10pm) vs Perth Scorchers at Etihad Stadium

Sunday, January 1 (6:10pm) vs Melbourne Stars at MCG

Saturday, January 7 (7:10pm) vs Melbourne Stars at Etihad Stadium

Monday, January 9 (7:40pm) vs Sydney Sixers at SCG

Thursday, January 12 (7:40pm) vs Hobart Hurricanes at Etihad Stadium

Monday, January 16 (7:40pm) vs Adelaide Strikers at Adelaide Oval

Friday, January 20 (7:40pm) vs Brisbane Heat at Gabba

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