Melbourne Renegades has reached semifinal last year and it was their 2nd visit to the semifinals in the back to back years. However, this year, they have tried to retain the side except for their last year’s captain Jess Duffin who is in maternity leave. But to boost their morale, Amy Satterthwaite is back and she will take the charge this year.
Played- 72, Won- 31, Lost- 40, Tie/NR- 1, Win%- 43.66
Women’s Big Bash League 05 result: Semi-finalists
Renegades won 8 matches of their 14 encounters and reached the semifinal in consecutive years with 16 points. In the semifinal, despite Josie Dooley’s unbeaten half-century and Molly Strano’s 4-wicket-haul, they were beaten by Heats by 4 wickets.
Best Result: Semifinals (2018-19, 2019-20)
Women’s Big Bash League 06 Team Analysis: Danielle Wyatt, the highest scorer for Renegades, overall, will not be seen in this year’s extravaganza. Renegades has decided against to renew the contract of the English opener who has scored 1345 runs with 7 half-centuries. If not opting for Danielle Wyatt who scored more than 400 runs with a strike rate of 131 in 14 innings, last year is a loss for Renegades, they got a like to like substitution in Lee.
Lizelle Lee, last years highest run-getter for the Melbourne Stars, and the 2nd highest run-getter for them, overall, has tiled towards the rivals this season. One of the brutal openers in T20 cricket in recent times, Lee has scored 1100 run in 39 innings with 2 centuries for Stars and has been a dominant batter in the top order. Stars won 2 out of the 14 matches last year and within that colossal failure, Lee amassed 475 runs at a strike rate of 131.
Renegades has suffered another major blow in terms of batting. Jess Duffin, with 544 runs (@68) last year will not play for them due to her maternity leave. She has been the rock-solid in the middle order and her strike rate of 138 was instrumental in Renegades way to the semifinal. In 3 seasons she has scored 1045 runs with an impressive average of 38. The star of 2014 T-20 World Cup Final will be a major missing for the Renegades not only in the batting but also in the leadership group.
However, Amy Satterthwaite has made her comeback in the national side and looked in good touch in the series against Australia. The Kiwi South Paw has missed last season and she will try to make most of it. In three season she also showed her class with the bat. Having amassed close to 700 runs Amy Satterthwaite is going to play a huge roll in the middle order this year in the absence of Jess Duffin. She has been given the responsibilities to lead the team as well.
Australian stars like Sophie Molineux or Georgia Wareham will take care of their spin bowling department. Both of them has proved their worth on the national side and will be looking forward to replicating the same for the Renegades. While Sophie doesn’t get many chances to bat up the order for Australia, in WBBL she opened the batting for the Renegades last year. Along with her slow left-arm spin which earned her 8 wickets last year she would like to prove her strength with the bat as well.
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Leg spinner Wareham who didn’t have a good outing with the ball had only picked 8 wickets with an average of 50, will try to regain her form this year. Along with these two, Molly Stano, the highest wicket-taker with 96 scalps in 5 seasons makes one of the fearsome spin bowling-side. Molly Strano has been the go-to bowler for the Renegades skipper and she didn’t fail to deliver. Her abilities to deliver restrictive bowling even in the power plays makes her special.
Melbourne Renegades has brought in Erin Fazackerley from Hobart. This opener with a strike rate of 123 has scored 243 runs in the last season. This will be interesting to see her batting order. Renegades now have an option in her. If Sophie Molineux doesn’t click in the opening position, then can send Fazackerley to open. Courtney Webb and wicket-keeper Josie Dooley too have retained their place in the side.
Along with Lea Tahuhu and Maitlan Brown who together picked up 25 wickets last year this year Renegades has a strong contingent of fast bowlers in the form of Makinley Blows, Carly Leeson, Courtney Neale. After her performances for the Renegades last season, Brown was called in the fro the National Side and she would like to justify her inclusion. On the other hand, Lea Tahuhu who is suffering from a niggle will like to get back in shape fast to give Renegades a blistering start with the ball.
17 years old Ella Hayward showed her form in last years U-18 Championship which earned her the place in the Renegades side. she was the 2nd highest wicket-taker with 15 wickets at an average of 11.73. Along with this, the all-rounder has scored 233 runs with an average of 47. We can expect to see her in some of the matches.
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Strength:
Along with the batting in the top order, Renegades is dependent on their fearsome bowling attack. It will not be different this year. A versatile spin bowling department along with quick fast bowlers will give them the edge in the bowling over their opponents.
Weakness:
Middle-order looks freakish with the absence of Jess Duffin. At the same time, it will be interesting to watch how Melbourne Renegades repair their opening woes.
WBBL 06 squads of Melbourne Renegades:
Sophie Molineux (Aus), Georgia Wareham (Aus), Lizelle Lee (SA), Amy Satterthwaite (C, NZ), Lea Tahuhu (NZ), Makinley Blows, Maitlan Brown, Josie Dooley, Erin Fazackerley, Ella Hayward, Carly Leeson, Courtney Neale, Molly Strano, Courtney Webb
Ins: Lizelle Lee (Stars), Erin Fazackerley (Hurricanes), Ella Hayward
Outs: Jess Duffin ( maternity leave), Tammy Beaumont (Thunder), Danielle Wyatt, Erica Kershaw (Hurricanes), Anna Lanning (injury replacement)
Key Players:
Lizelle Lee, Amy Satterthwaite, Sophie Molineux, Georgia Wareham, Molly Strano, Maitlan Brown, Lea Tahuhu
Probable XI:
Lizelle Lee, Erin Fazackerley, Amy Satterthwaite (c), Josie Dooley, Sophie Molineux, Courtney Webb, Carly Leeson/Makinley Blows, Georgia Wareham, Molly Strano, Maitlan Brown, Lea Tahuhu
Fixtures:
October 25: v Stars, Hurstville Oval
October 26: v Heat, Hurstville Oval
October 31: v Scorchers, Drummoyne Oval
November 1: vs Sixers, Showground Stadium
November 3: vs Hurricanes, Blacktown International Sports Park
November 7: vs Thunder, Hurstville Oval
November 8: vs Strikers, North Sydney Oval
November 10: vs Hurricanes, Blacktown International Sports Park
November 14: vs Scorchers, Showground Stadium
November 15: vs Stars, Showground Stadium
November 17: vs Thunder, Blacktown International Sports Park
November 18: vs Strikers, Blacktown International Sports Park
November 21: vs Sixers, North Sydney Oval
November 22: vs Heat, Drummoyne Oval
