Photo Credit: Melbourne Renegades
One of Australia’s most in-form batters has committed to the Melbourne Renegades for BBL|12.
Victorian captain Peter Handscomb will get on red this summer and add to the Renegades’ experienced batting group.
Handscomb joins the Renegades after spending the past two seasons with the Hurricanes, and the previous nine seasons with the club’s cross-town rivals.
The 31-year-old is the Sheffield Shield’s leading run-scorer this summer, with 571 runs at an average of 81.5, and is averaging 42 for Victoria in the One-Day Cup.
He also scored a pair of half-centuries whilst captaining the Prime Minister’s XI last week.
Handscomb said he was excited to be starting a new Big Bash chapter.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be able to play Big Bash this season and to be staying in Melbourne with the Renegades is exciting,” Handscomb said.
“I’ve had a look at the list and it’s a good bunch of blokes, with a nice mix of experience and exciting, young players.
“I think this group can go places this year. The ambition is to win the tournament, it’s always about trying to take the championship home and I’ll be trying to influence the game in a positive way every opportunity I get.
“I played a lot of Big Bash games for the Stars, but it will be good fun to play against them with the Renegades’ red on and I’m looking forward to those match-ups.”
Handscomb has played 78 BBL matches across his career, averaging almost 25 with the bat at a strike rate above 120.
He has a highest score of 103* to go with four half-centuries, and has shown plenty of versatility throughout his BBL career – batting everywhere from opening to number seven across the past four summers.
“Peter is one of the country’s most in-form batters and to be able to add him to our group on the eve of the season is a great outcome,” Melbourne Renegades General Manager, James Rosengarten, said.
“He’s not only a quality player, but brings a wealth of experience, leadership and already has great relationships within our playing group.
“Our list management team looked at several ways to use this final spot on our list, but ultimately with a player of Peter’s quality still available it became a simple decision – particularly with Marcus Harris on international duties.
“We look forward to seeing what he can contribute now he’s playing on the right side of Melbourne.”
The Renegades will begin their BBL|12 campaign on December 15 against the Brisbane Heat in Cairns, before hosting the Sydney Thunder at Marvel Stadium on December 18.
BBL|12 Squad (so far): Nic Maddinson (C), Zak Evans, Aaron Finch, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Martin Guptill*, Peter Handscomb, Sam Harper, Marcus Harris, Mackenzie Harvey, Akeal Hosein*, Ruwantha Kellapotha*, Shaun Marsh, Jack Prestwidge, Kane Richardson, Corey Rocchiccioli, Tom Rogers, Andre Russell*, Will Sutherland, Mujeeb Ur Rahman*, Jon Wells
*Denotes international player
