Movement continues in Melbourne with three more players let go by Big Bash League club
Renegades release seasoned trio
The revolution at Melbourne Renegades is well and truly underway, with the club releasing three seasoned stars following another disappointing KFC T20 Big Bash League season.
Batsman Alex Doolan, wicketkeeper Peter Nevill and spinner Aaron O’Brien have all been deemed surplus to requirements, and join Ben Rohrer among the departures at the club after the middle-order batsman was traded to Sydney Thunder on Monday.
“They have been great people to have in the team and we certainly wish them all the best for future success in their careers,” said Renegades CEO Stuart Coventry, who on Monday stated the club’s desire “make a change of direction” heading into BBL|05.
That intention was reinforced when Coventry promised supporters no fewer than five signings in the coming weeks, including two big-name internationals.
The club is also exploring candidates for a new coach after Simon Helmot was dumped following their sixth placing last season.
"My coaching sub-committee have got pretty strong criteria about the type of person they're after, so we're going to stick with that and in the next 10-14 days hopefully we'll be able to announce someone,” Coventry added.
"I'm really surprised about the number of strong candidates out there that want a Big Bash job so we feel like we're in a good space there."
Wicketkeeper Nevill lost his spot at the Renegades in BBL|04 to former Test keeper Matthew Wade, who arrived from arch rivals Melbourne Stars and made 168 runs at 21 at the top of the order for his new club.
The 29-year-old, who recently made an unbeaten 235 in the Bupa Sheffield Shield and remains in the frame for higher keeping honours, is likely to be snapped up quickly on the open BBL market.
The form of Alex Doolan is less appealing, with the man who debuted in Australia’s Test team at No.3 a year ago enduring a miserable decline in form since.
He turned out only twice for the Renegades in BBL|04, scoring 22 runs.
O’Brien, 33, took 16 wickets in BBL|02 and BBL|03 combined but did not appear last season.