THE 2024/25 Big Bash League (BBL) season is right around the corner, kicking off with a clash between the Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars on December 15. Another bumper schedule plays host to 40 matches followed by a finals series which will see the BBL|14 title awarded on January 27.

With plenty of water passing under the bridge since BBL|13, including a draft and signing period, we get you back up to speed with all the ins and outs before the new season. Next up in our preview series are the Melbourne Renegades, who swung mass changes and have yielded renewed optimism.

>> PREVIEWS: Heat | Sixers | Strikers | Scorchers | Hurricanes | Stars

BBL|13 RECAP

Record: 7th | 2-6, 2NR | -0.289 NRR

The Renegades could only muster two wins last season but avoided the dreaded wooden spoon, which was claimed by Sydney Thunder. One of the positives to come from an otherwise dour campaign was beating local rivals, the Stars, in the final home game for retirees Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh.

BBL|14 SQUAD

Jacob Bethell, Josh Brown, Xavier Crone, Harry Dixon, Laurie Evans, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Marcus Harris, Mackenzie Harvey, Nathan Lyon, Fergus O’Neill, Kane Richardson, Tom Rogers, Gurinder Sandhu, Tim Seifert, Will Sutherland, Jon Wells, Adam Zampa

Replacement players: Hassan Khan

IN: Jacob Bethell (draft), Josh Brown (Heat), Xavier Crone, Laurie Evans (Scorchers/draft), Marcus Harris, Gurinder Sandhu (Thunder), Tim Seifert (pre-signed)
OUT: Aaron Finch (retired), Akeal Hosein (Sixers), Ruwantha Kellapotha, Nic Maddinson (Thunder), Shaun Marsh (retired), Peter Siddle (Stars)

Change was the constant in the Renegades’ offseason as new coach Cameron White took the reigns and rebuilt his maiden squad. With greats Finch and Marsh both retiring, Melbourne was aggressive at the draft and heavily bolstered its batting stocks with further signings.

Josh Brown was the first big fish landed, recruited to Victoria after helping Brisbane Heat claim last year’s title. The big-hitting opener made his name in the BBL but has had a steady start to life in the Big V, compiling just 31 runs in four One-Day Cup innings to date.

He will likely be first out to the middle alongside Jake Fraser-McGurk, who spent much of last season batting at number three. Pre-signed international Tim Seifert is in line to take that spot, and the gloves, as he is fully available to the Renegades over the next two seasons.

Perhaps the draft’s biggest coup was Laurie Evans changing Scorchers orange for Renegades red. The Englishman will pivot the middle order alongside compatriot and fellow draftee Jacob Bethell, an emerging allround prospect who has been exposed to all formats.

Both Evans and Bethell will miss parts of the season, making Marcus Harris a crucial signing. He and young gun Harry Dixon will likely see opportunities throughout the campaign, along with Mackenzie Harvey. The same goes for depth bowlers Xavier Crone and Gurinder Sandhu.

Also among the Renegades’ eight inclusions from last year’s squad is Hassan Khan. A replacement player for BBL|14, Khan offers a spin bowling chop-out and power hitting in the batting lineup. The 25-year-old was Pakistan’s Under 19 captain back in 2018.

INTERNATIONAL REPS

Nathan Lyon is the Renegades’ sole Australian Test squad member. He will likely be available for the final three home-and-away fixtures in mid-January before jetting off for the tour of Sri Lanka. Bethell is currently on Test duties and will miss the season-opener, plus won’t be available for finals as he rejoins the England camp for its T20 series against India. Evans also won’t be there for finals if the ‘Gades make it, likely to play most of the regular season before heading off to the ILT20 competition.

POTENTIAL XI

Excluding Australian Test representatives

1. Josh Brown
2. Jake Fraser-McGurk
3. Tim Seifert
4. Jacob Bethell
5. Laurie Evans
6. Jon Wells
7. Will Sutherland
8. Tom Rogers
9. Fergus O’Neill
10. Kane Richardson
11. Adam Zampa

FIXTURES

vs. Sydney Sixers
Monday December 16 @ SCG

vs. Hobart Hurricanes
Thursday December 19 @ GMHBA Stadium

vs. Perth Scorchers
Monday December 23 @ Marvel Stadium

vs. Sydney Thunder
Monday December 30 @ ENGIE Stadium

vs. Adelaide Strikers
Thursday January 2 @ Marvel Stadium

vs. Melbourne Stars
Saturday January 4 @ MCG

vs. Perth Scorchers
Tuesday January 7 @ Perth Stadium

vs. Melbourne Stars
Sunday January 12 @ Marvel Stadium

vs. Hobart Hurricanes
Tuesday January 14 @ Bellerive Oval

vs. Brisbane Heat
Saturday January 18 @ Marvel Stadium

PUT IT IN YOUR DIARY

The Renegades open their season with a tough away trip to Sydney to take on the Sixers on Monday December 16. Their first official home game comes three days later against Hobart Hurricanes in Geelong, before eventually landing at Marvel Stadium to host Perth Scorchers on December 23. The Renegades again have consecutive Victorian legs when they take on Adelaide Strikers on January 2 in the lead-up to a January 4 derby at the MCG. The return leg is on January 12.

SEASON PREDICTION

Ladder range: 4-8

A fresh squad and new outlook promises to yield quick improvement for the Renegades. At full strength, their batting lineup suits the trajectory of T20 cricket well with a blend of exuberant power hitting and experience in the top six. A tough start and the availability of key signings may hinder the Renegades’ finals hopes, but they could surprise a few this season.