The Melbourne Renegades start their Big Bash League season on Saturday night against the Brisbane Heat at the Gabba and star batsman Tom Beaton joined us at The Roar to discuss his team’s chances leading into the tournament.
With a team featuring Chris Gayle, Aaron Finch, Cameron White, Beaton and Dwayne Bravo, the Renegades boast a formidable powerful batting line-up for this BBL season.
“We’re excited about the season ahead,” Beaton told The Roar.
“We’ve got a really strong squad with a great mix of youth and experience. We’re looking forward to playing at the Gabba for the first time [as Renegades] since the BBL began. It should be a great atmosphere.”
Beaton himself is known for his hard hitting in the top order. The 25-year-old, who returns to the Renegades this season, will look to continue last year’s impressive form from BBL04. He was recently named by Cricket Australia national talent manager Greg Chappell as one of a host of young players expected to make an impact this season.
“It’s nice of him to say that. I had a couple of decent batting performances in my first season and I’m looking forward to BBL05,” Beaton said.
“I’ll do what the team needs me to do and hopefully make some runs that contribute to wins for the Renegades.”
The Renegades will be hoping to hit the ground running with their new dynamic opening duo of Gayle and Finch. Both players will strike fear into any bowler in the competition with their ability to smash the ball all over the field.
“Both Aaron and Chris are world-class players,” Beaton said.
“Chris is the best T20 batsman to have played the game. His record speaks for itself. When he and Finchy are at the crease, we’re certainly feeling good. Hopefully they strike up a good partnership and get us off to a positive start. We’d rather have Chris in our side than be bowling to him.
“Chris arrived in Melbourne on Monday night and was at our training session on Tuesday. He’s good fun to be around and will settle in with all the boys over the coming days. He already knows many of the players from previous teams or playing against them.”
Beaton expects another recruit Cameron White to dominate the competition after not being offered a contract at rival club Melbourne Stars.
“Cam is jumping out of his skin to get going this season. He’s been captain of just about every team he’s played in so he brings a huge depth of experience to the squad,” Beaton said.
“He’ll be a key player in our batting line-up and we know he can attack bowlers when we need him to.”
Under new coach David Saker, who replaces Simon Helmot in charge of the Renegades, they will follow their game in Brisbane with the next three matches in Melbourne and will be hoping to bank wins early in the season before potentially losing players to national duty.
Melbourne Renegades squad
Aaron Finch, Tom Beaton, Nathan Rimmington, Tom Cooper, Matthew Wade, Cameron White, Matthew Short, Nick Winter, Callum Ferguson, James Pattinson, Xavier Doherty, Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Petter Siddle.
Fixtures
Saturday, December 19 – Brisbane Heat versus Melbourne Renegades, 6:10pm
Wed December 23 – Melbourne Renegades versus Sydney Sixers, 7:10pm
Wed December 30 – Melbourne Renegades verus Perth Scorchers, 7:10pm
Saturday, January 2 – Melbourne Stars versus Melbourne Renegades, 6:10pm
Monday, January 4 – Hobart Hurricanes versus Melbourne Renegades, 7:40pm
Saturday, January 9 – Melbourne Renegades versus Melbourne Stars, 7:10pm
Monday, January 11 – Sydney Thunder versus Melbourne Renegades, 7:40pm
Monday, January 18 – Melbourne Renegades versus Adelaide Strikers, 7:40pm
Follow Jason on Twitter: jased1973
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