By Tim Douglas 
Melbourne Renegades enter the BBL 2024-25 season with a revamped squad and a fresh leadership duo of captain Will Sutherland and coach Cameron White. Following a disappointing seventh-place finish last season, they’ve rebuilt their team after the departures of key players Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, and Nic Maddinson. Their new-look roster promises fresh energy, aiming for a deep playoff run.
Squad Overview of Melbourne Renegades in BBL 2024-25
Captain: Will Sutherland
Coach: Cameron White
Batters:
- Josh Brown (explosive opener)
- Laurie Evans (middle-order powerhouse)
- Marcus Harris (top-order experience)
- Jacob Bethell (aggressive left-hander, ENG)
- Jake Fraser-McGurk (dynamic young talent)
- Mackenzie Harvey (left-handed batter)
- Jon Wells (dependable finisher)
Wicketkeeper-Batters:
- Tim Seifert (NZ, aggressive batter)
Allrounders:
- Will Sutherland (captain, pace-bowling allrounder)
- Hassan Khan (USA, spin-bowling allrounder)
Bowlers:
- Nathan Lyon (off-spin maestro)
- Adam Zampa (leg-spin specialist)
- Kane Richardson (seasoned pacer)
- Gurinder Sandhu (swing bowler)
- Tom Rogers (pace)
- Xavier Crone (pace)
- Fergus O’Neill (pace)
How They Stack Up
The Renegades have struck a balance between experienced campaigners and rising stars. Their batting has been bolstered by England’s Laurie Evans, New Zealand’s Tim Seifert, and opener Josh Brown, who impressed in Heat’s title-winning campaign last season. Left-handed Jacob Bethell adds exciting flair after recent Test success with England.
The bowling attack looks formidable with Adam Zampa and Nathan Lyon forming a dangerous spin duo, supported by USA recruit Hassan Khan. Their pace lineup, led by Kane Richardson, Gurinder Sandhu, and emerging talents Xavier Crone and Fergus O’Neill, offers versatility across conditions.
Player to Watch: Will Sutherland
New captain Will Sutherland will be central to the Renegades’ fortunes. His all-round capabilities—explosive lower-order hitting and fiery pace bowling—make him a potential game-changer. Having already captained Victoria in domestic cricket and led the Renegades briefly last season, Sutherland has the leadership experience to guide this revamped side. A fit and firing Sutherland could see him break into Australia’s national setup.
Strengths of Melbourne Renegades in BBL 2024-25:
- Balanced Squad: Strong mix of power hitters, finishers, and versatile bowlers.
- Spin Firepower: The Lyon-Zampa pairing could dominate on spin-friendly tracks.
- Fresh Energy: Young recruits bring vibrancy and hunger to the team.
Challenges:
- Inconsistent Top-Order: They will rely on Laurie Evans and Josh Brown to provide stability.
- New-Look Team Dynamics: With multiple new faces, team cohesion could take time.
- Availability Issues: Overseas stars have limited windows due to ILT20 commitments.
Availability Watch
- Laurie Evans: Available for around six games before departing for the ILT20.
- Jacob Bethell: Expected to play 3-4 matches between international duties.
- Nathan Lyon: Likely available in January before joining Australia’s Test tour of Sri Lanka.
- Tim Seifert & Jake Fraser-McGurk: Available for the full season until the ILT20.
Prediction: Contenders or Rebuilders?
The Renegades have done well to rebuild after a tough 2023-24 campaign, crafting a lineup that combines power, skill, and experience. If their key players fire and they overcome early availability issues, they could make a strong run for the playoffs. Expect them to be serious challengers for a top-four finish.
Zainab Shafiq