Sutherland in contention for Renegades debut

By Deputy Chief EditorDecember 19, 2018

150 2 minutes read

Emerging all-rounder Will Sutherland is a chance to make his Big Bash League debut for the Melbourne Renegades in Thursday nights season-opener against the Perth Scorchers.

Sutherland was named in a 13-man squad ahead of the match at Marvel Stadium after registering 27 not out off 14 deliveries in an intra-club match in Geelong on Sunday.

The 19-year-old has been unable to bowl since succumbing to a back injury early in the season but his batting may still earn him a spot in the XI.

Dan Christian, newly acquired from last years runners-up Hobart Hurricanes, says Sutherlands batting alone is good enough to make an impact.

“Hell certainly be considered, I think. Hes obviously done really well the last couple of years coming through. His crickets going from strength to strength so Im sure hell be in the mix,” he said.

“Weve got the luxury of playing an extra batsman (as a result of having multiple all-rounders) if we want, so Will will certainly be considered.”

The Renegades 13-man squad also includes promoted pair Sam Harper (replacing Aaron Finch on Test duties) and former Adelaide Striker Kelvin Smith (replacing the injured Mackenzie Harvey).

Veteran spinner Jon Holland has been overlooked, while Tom Cooper will captain the side in the absence of Finch.

Christian expects the Renegades to have their “work cut out” against “one of the best T20 teams in the world”.

“Theyve been the benchmark for the last few years,” he said.

“Theyve always been right up there), theyre solid all the way across the board.”

The powerful all-rounder hasnt had the smoothest preparation for Thursdays game, with his travel baggage – including his cricket gear – stuck in Perth on his way back from South Africa.

“I was the last one to leave, it was about 1 this morning, I think, by the time I worked out they werent coming out,” Christian said.

“(Its a) bit frustrating but hopefully it turns up this afternoon.”

Perth paceman Jason Behrendorff is confident the travelling side can overcome their Melbourne opposition and keep intact their astounding head-to-head record, having never lost to the Renegades.

Behrendorff said that the three-time champions held a mental edge over the hosts.

“Theres always that little bit of mental competition that weve got over them in that sense but its the start of a new season so anything can happen,” he said.

Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris absence as part of the Test team leaves the Renegades opening partnership up in the air.

Tim Ludeman and Cameron White are the pair Behrendorff is preparing to bowl against with the new ball, although Christian remained tight-lipped about the Renegades' batting order.

Christian said the Renegades could become the first Melbourne club to go all the way.

“I think so, weve got a really solid squad, probably not as solid as it wouldve been three months ago before Finchy and Marcus Harris got picked in the Test team but we still got a lot of talent all the way through,” Christian said.

The match begins at 7.15pm.

SQUADS – Renegades: Tom Cooper (captain), Dan Christian (vice-captain), Jack Wildermuth, Tim Ludeman, Cameron White, Mohammad Nabi, Cameron Boyce, Kane Richardson, Usman Khan Shinwari, Kelvin Smith, Chris Tremain, Will Sutherland, Sam Harper.

Scorchers: Mitch Marsh (Captain), Ashton Turner (Vice-captain),Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter Nile, Josh Inglis,Michael Klinger, Usman Qadir, Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye, Sam Whiteman, David Willey.