We recap Renegades’ BBL|13 draft strategy and squad gaps
Renegades have made some significant moves in their BBL|13 draft strategy, securing Quinton de Kock and Mujeeb Ur Rahman as key additions to their squad. De Kock, who was picked as a platinum player with a price tag of $420,000, is expected to be a strong contender for the top-order batting position. Mujeeb, chosen as a gold player for $300,000, will provide spin bowling options on their home ground at Marvel Stadium.
Under new contracting rules, each BBL club now has a total payment pool of $3 million, a significant increase from the previous season. In order to comply with these rules, each club must have a minimum of six players earning $200,000 or more per season. The six marquee players collectively must be paid a minimum of $1.7 million in BBL|13.
Renegades have several current and former Australian representatives in their squad, including Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, and Nathan Lyon. With the addition of Adam Zampa, who was traded from the Stars, Renegades have a strong pool of players to compete for the remaining four marquee spots.
However, there are some overseas availability concerns for Renegades. De Kock has announced his retirement from one-day internationals and will not be available for South Africa’s upcoming series against India. Despite this, Renegades’ general manager, James Rosengarten, is confident that de Kock will be able to play the first eight games of BBL|13 before joining the Durban Super Giants in the South African T20 league. Mujeeb also has commitments in a rival T20 league in the UAE and with Afghanistan’s T20 series against India scheduled to begin in January. This leaves him with availability for up to eight games with the Renegades. However, the club has the option to sign overseas replacement players for when both de Kock and Mujeeb are unavailable.
Renegades’ BBL|13 squad currently consists of Quinton de Kock, Adam Zampa, Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, Nathan Lyon, and several other talented players. However, there are still some gaps to fill in the squad. The team lacks a backup wicketkeeper for the final two games of the regular season and potential finals. Peter Handscomb, who is currently uncontracted, could fill this role, or the team may consider signing Netherlands’ World Cup captain Scott Edwards as a backup gloveman.
Another area that Renegades may need to address is their spin bowling options. With Mujeeb set to depart for the UAE league before the finals and Lyon likely to be unavailable due to Test duties, the team may look to sign a third primary international player to bolster their spin options. Alternatively, if they prioritize a backup wicketkeeper, they could utilize their third primary international signing for this position.
Renegades have limited spots available for a wicketkeeper, spinner, and all-rounder, with Will Sutherland currently being the only genuine all-rounder in the squad. However, with the reported signing of 18-year-old batting sensation Harry Dixon, the team has limited options to fill these spots.
In conclusion, Renegades have made some strategic draft picks for BBL|13 with the inclusion of Quinton de Kock and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. However, they still need to address some squad gaps, including a backup wicketkeeper and potential spin bowling options. With limited spots available, they will need to carefully consider their signings to ensure a well-rounded and competitive squad for the upcoming season.
