Squad Breakdown: Renegades player-by-player analysis

• PREDICTED TEAMS: Every starting XI for BBL11
• SQUAD BREAKDOWN: Strikers, player-by-player analysis

The Melbourne Renegades will be out to put bitter memories of a torturous BBL10 campaign behind them as they enter the new season.

Historically they’ve been underperformers in the competition, making just one final where they triumphed back in the 2018/19 edition of the tournament.

Last season they strung together just four wins from 14 games.

This is good news for SuperCoaches leading into the 2021/22 tournament as their entire squad is arguably significantly undervalued following the poor showing.

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They don’t have a bye this season, and have a double late on in Round 11.

There’s currently uncertainty around their Round 1 line-up due to the fact they’ve announced four internationals for the season, exceeding the limit of three.

There’s been no clarification as of yet on which players will miss stints of the tournament and when.

As such, we’ve left Afghan spinner Zahir Khan out of the predicted XI, but will provide analysis should he be available from the season opener which is every chance.

There’s arguably no side with greater competition for spots, with the likes of Zak Evans, Jack Prestwidge and Nic Maddinson (also expected Australia ‘A’ commitments) currently outside our XI, but all which will fight for spots in the team.

The recent injury to Shaun Marsh – who isn’t expected back until around New Year – makes the picture a little clearer.

Aaron Finch is expected to miss the opening three to four rounds with injury, which likely leaves the top four looking like: Chand, Harvey, Harper and Fraser-McGurk.

New recruit Jonathan Merlo will likely come into the line-up at five, we haven’t added him below.

We’ve kept the analysis below with Finch opening, but don’t expect him to feature in the first few rounds.

We’ll update the article as we get a greater idea of the likely line-up throughout the pre-season.

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AARON FINCH (BAT) // $62,500 // BBL10 SC Ave: 17.6

I’m far from convinced by the Australian T20 captain, but I’m also not willing to anti-POD him and leave him out of my side.

Unlike NRL SuperCoach, prices change after one game, so if he goes nuts you’ll not only be one of about 50,000 players missing the points, but also the substantial price rise.

Getting him at just $62,500 also frees up plenty of cap space to utilise elsewhere.

The Renegades play the third game of five in Round 1, the first game in Round 2 and then the second game in Round 3.

Therefore he’s the perfect loophole option for at least Round 2 and 3, where we basically get a risk-free crack at him.

Last season he was rubbish across 13 innings, scoring just 179 runs at 13.76 with a strike-rate of 113.29.

He’ll improve on that, surely!

Look back a season prior where he averaged 64.6 SC points across nine games, and then back to the 2016/17 tournament where he averaged 86.9 across eight games.

In his seven knocks at the T20 World Cup, he had returns of: 5, 0, 9, 40, 44, 37 and 0.

I don’t think he’s a must play in your starting team at all, but I can’t see how you’d leave him out.

UPDATE: Injured and likely unavailable until Round 3 or 4.

UNMUKT CHAND (BAT) // $105,000 // BBL10 SC Ave: N/A

The 28-year-old Indian is an intriguing signing and comes in largely as a mystery option.

Across his last 17 first-class/List A innings, he’s record a top score of just 54, while very occasionally rolling the arm over with his off-breaks.

I don’t expect him to bowl, and he may bat at four with everyone on deck, but injuries will likely see him open at least until Finch returns which makes him relevant.

It’d be terrific to see him come in and take the competition by storm.

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MACKENZIE HARVEY (BAT) // $97,800 // BBL10 SC Ave: 31.3

You’d think the injury to Marsh all-but assures Mack Harvey a spot in the starting XI, even when Finch returns.

He’s an up-and-coming talent and promises plenty this season.

He played 10 games last season, scoring 198 runs at 28.28 with a strike-rate of 135.61.

Showing his class, in his last seven BBL knocks last season he recorded single figures just once, and scored 20+ on five occasions.

He has minimal top-grade cricket of late to note, but if he can recapture the form of last campaign he’ll be a huge watch.

Hee’ll be a sneaky POD at a very cheap rate and should open the batting while Finch is out.

He’s also handy with the ball, so if does play any sort of roll in the attack it’d be enormous for his SuperCoach credentials. The Round 1 line-up will tell the story.

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SAM HARPER (WKP/BAT) // $127,400 // BBL10 SC Ave: 40.8

In an underwhelming side, Harper had a solid campaign last season scoring 351 runs at 27.00, with a strike-rate of 124.02.

He’s a little awkwardly priced, but if he nabs the opening or number three spot vacated by Shaun Marsh and Finch – now appearing very likely – he’ll get ample opportunity to excel with the willow, while wicket-keeping bonus points will again prove pivotal for his SuperCoach scoring.

The season prior he averaged 41.7 SC points, and 37.6 the year before.

Following last season’s BBL, he hit form in the Marsh Cup with returns of 60 and 51, followed by an unbeaten Shield tonne for Victoria.

Most recently though he’s rarely troubled the scorers, with Shield scores of 0, 17* and 1.

Not for me from Round 1, but there is a serious case to be made if he opens the bat.

JAKE FRASER-MCGURK (BAT) // $65,000 // BBL10 SC Ave: 20.8

The Marsh/Finch injuries should open up a spot for gun rookie Jake Fraser-McGurk.

He should bat at four which would make him a serious option for Round 1 in genuine cheapie range.

His top-grade cricket of late is limited, but he did recently belt 146 for Victoria’s second XI.

He’s a massive watch in the warm-up games, and if he can bat at four I may pick him as a cash-cow to sit on the bench. Any lower though and I’m calling trap. For a bit extra cash Harvey is probably the safer option.

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MOHAMMAD NABI (BAT/BWL) // $139,200 // BBL10 SC Ave: 44.6

Nabi has been a little hit and miss across several SuperCoach stints, but when he’s on, he’s on.

He has the ability to be a genuine SuperCoach gun and looms as a POD option early on.

In seven games last season he scored 149 runs at 24.83 with a strike-rate of 126.27. He had a top score of 71*.

He has a career T20 strike-rate of 140.46, so hopefully he can produce similar this campaign.

The official SuperCoach site isn’t providing his past stats, but he’s had some enormous seasons, more specifically patches of form throughout seasons.

He was in sublime touch with the blade for Afghanistan at the T20 World Cup, producing scores of: 14 (v NZ), 35 (v Ind), 32* (v Nam), 35* (v Pak), 11* (v Scot), 6* (v WI, warm-up) and 34* (v SA, warm-up).

Across those seven games he also took five wickets.

I won’t gamble on him early, but he has massive upside on his day.

He’s one that I’ll be watching closely in Round 1 just to see exactly how his role with both bat and ball will play out.

WILL SUTHERLAND (BAT/BWL) // $73,900 // BBL10 SC Ave: 23.7

Sutherland faces competition from Jack Prestwidge for the all-rounder role, so his spot is far from locked in.

In two recent Shield games for Victoria, he had returns of 2/14 and 1/40, along with 1/25 and 3/31.

He chipped in with the bat with scores of 23 and 5, coming in at number eight behind James Pattinson.

When you see any all-rounder at under $75k it’s hard not to get somewhat excited, but it can also be a huge trap.

I need confirmation he’d bowl 3+ overs to gain any interest, even then I’d likely leave him out of my starting XI.

He did bowl at the death at stages last season which is significant should he earn that role again.

He does have loop potential, and he could explode onto the BBL SC scene at any stage, so keep him in your black book.

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JAMES PATTINSON (BWL) // $157,900 // BBL10 SC Ave: N/A

Recently retired form international cricket, Patto should play the duration of the tournament provided he stays fit.

I absolutely love him as a cricketer and he can figure in SuperCoach this season.

Two seasons back he averaged 63.2 SC points across six games.

In 2018/19 he averaged 44 points across five games.

It’d be handy if he nabbed the number seven spot in the order above Sutherland, however you wouldn’t bank on any batting points when buying him so it shouldn’t really impact your initial decision.

In his most recent Shield game he took 2/27 and 1/67. The more cricket into him before the opening round of Big Bash the better.

He’s a smoky play from Round 1, but the handicappers haven’t missed him at the big price of $157,900, so I’ll be watching early.

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KANE RICHARDSON (BWL) // $152,000 // BBL10 SC Ave: 48.6

Richo is a SuperCoach stud and will be right in my calculations for Round 1 should I opt for a POD gun over a double game week player.

He averaged a solid 48.6 SC points last season, but the horrific form of the Gades’ gave him little opportunity to threaten taking many wickets at the death.

With no pressure on the batting line-up he was able to be nullified fairly well, yet he still took a respectable 15 wickets in 11 games at an economy of 8.00.

I’m not convinced the Gades’ will be much better this season, but any improvement leading to tighter contests should pave the way for Richo to take more wickets late on in the innings.

His past SC averages read: 56, 74.5 (15 games) and 67 (two games).

He’s elite in the game and can be prominent again this season.

He was on deck with Australia at the T20 World Cup, but didn’t figure in the tournament.

In two warm-up games he had returns of 0/20 and 3/24.

One to strongly consider…

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CAMERON BOYCE (BWL) // $106,000 // BBL10 SC Ave: N/A

Health issues saw Boyce miss last tournament.

Look back to the season prior to gauge his output, playing 14 games and taking 14 wickets at an economy of 7.45. This resulted in a SC average of 42.4.

During the Renegades’ title winning season in 2018/19, he took 16 wickets at a tremendous economy of 6.44, leading to a SC average of 59.4.

He doesn’t have a lot of top-grade cricket behind him in recent times, so his spot isn’t assured with the likes of Zahir Khan likely to slot into the line-up.

As such, he’s a wait and watch for me, but if he can find the form he produced in prior seasons he looks one that’s under-priced to begin the tournament.

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REECE TOPLEY (BWL) // $125,000 // BBL10 SC Ave: N/A

The English left-arm quick is another close watch early in the tournament.

He has 13 ODI caps and six T20 caps for his country, but didn’t feature in the World Cup campaign.

Across 92 career T20s he’s taken 119 wickets at an economy of 8.26.

He should bowl at the death for the Gades’ which is significant and could see him come into SuperCoach contention.

Recent short-form in England’s The Hundred competition is only okay, taking just three wickets in his last six games.

The class factor will be evident, but awkwardly priced at $125,000 I’m more than happy to sit back and watch what he can produce in Australian conditions.

I’d be more willing to lean towards the more proven Kane Richardson in Australia for just $27k more.

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OTHERS

ZAHIR KHAN (BWL) // $95,300 // BBL10 SC Ave: N/A

The official SuperCoach site doesn’t have Khan’s stats available in recent seasons.

In eight games for the Stars last season, Khan took six wickets at an economy of 6.93.

In eight games for the Heat the season prior, the young Afghan spinner took eight wickets at an economy of 6.58.

If he can up his wicket-taking rate this season and maintain a similar economy he can be a SC stud.

He didn’t feature for Afghanistan at the T20 World Cup.

In two games in the recent Pakistan Super League he had returns of 1/25 and 0/31.

The potential is there, and the price is tempting, but I’ll be watching early on if he does in fact start the tournament.

If he looks the goods in the opening game he’ll come into serious contention prior to any significant price rises.

JACK PRESTWIDGE (BAT/BWL) // $111,700

ZAK EVANS (BWL) // $164,200

NIC MADDINSON (BAT) // $115,600

SHAUN MARSH (BAT) // $106,000 // BBL10 SC Ave: 33.9

Yet another injury has Marsh ruled out for six weeks, meaning we can expect him back around the New Year period.

When he does return, he’s somewhat tempting if looking fit and in touch, priced at just over cheapie range for a bloke with a prolific history in the tournament.

He boasts serious upside and has traditionally fairly consistent output.

Last tournament he averaged 26 runs at a strike-rate of 126.82.

While I understand he’s not exactly in the prime of his career, his T20 career record is impressive, averaging 37.85 at a strike-rate of 128.13.

He also enters the tournament in decent touch, his most recent Shield cricket he scored: 10*, 11, 16, 16, 58, 118 and 36.

In the Marsh Cup this season, he has scores of: 80*, 15 and 1.

SuperCoach wise, two editions back he averaged 54.3, and he was similar in limited games the year prior.

I won’t gamble on him early, particularly with the injury niggle, but I don’t mind him if he shows something on return ahead of the Gades’ double game week.