First-time coach Michael Klinger has the unenviable task of trying to turn the Melbourne Renegades’ BBL title defence around after six straight defeats.
Taking on the Melbourne Renegades’ job just weeks before the BBL season, it’s been a nightmare beginning for first-time coach Michael Klinger.
The former Perth Scorchers star was appointed by the reigning champions in late-November after Andrew McDonald left to become Australia’s assistant coach.
But not much has gone right for Klinger, with the Renegades winless after six games following their Melbourne derby loss to the Stars on Saturday night.
One of the leading run-scorers in BBL history, Klinger said it had been a frustrating start to his coaching career.
“I came into this role wanting the team to do well, but as a first-time coach, you want to make an impression and hopefully have a long-term career as a coach,” Klinger said.
“To be 0-6 isn’t ideal. In a way it’s probably not going to get much harder than this.
“It’s a challenge for me to be in this situation straight up and how I approach it is really important for me in how I go forward in my coaching.”
The Renegades’ batting has let them down, with captain Aaron Finch and veteran Shaun Marsh not converting regular good starts into big scores.
They also missed out on securing gun Pakistani quick Haris Rauf, who has been a sensation for the Stars after being plucked from club cricket in Tasmania.
“It would’ve been nice if Cricket Victoria mentioned him to us,” Klinger quipped.
“It’s good recruiting by the Stars. They got wind of him playing in Tasmania and he’s a fantastic player.”
Despite being in a rut, the Renegades can still play the finals with the BBL moving to an expanded top-five finals system this season, Klinger says.
“You go through your cricket career with some challenges all the way through, some personal challenges as well,” he said.
“It’s about making sure I find a way to give the boys a bit of a spark to get them going again.
“There’s eight games to go and you may to have to win six to get in that fifth spot.
“Our season is certainly not over. But we’ve got to do it now otherwise time is going to run out.”
© AAP
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