The Melbourne Renegades are poised to keep tinkering with their batting order until they can find a combination capable of consistently posting winning scores.
With Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris away on Test duties, the Renegades have been mixing and matching to an extreme degree. The most dramatic example is that of Jack Wildermuth, who started the season as an opener but has since dropped as low as No.8. Sam Harper and Mohammad Nabi have also been shifted, while veteran Cameron White and stand-in captain Tom Cooper have had slow starts to the season.
Sam Harper is one of the Renegades who has been shifted around the order.Credit:AAP
Nabi and Dan Christian guided the Renegades to a successful run chase of 175 against the Adelaide Strikers on December 23, however Coopers side is yet to have a player reach 50 across four games to start the season.
On a positive note, youngsters Harper and Mackenzie Harvey have both impressed, putting on 52 for the first wicket in the New Years Day loss to the Melbourne Stars.
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Harper, brought in as a replacement player on the eve of the tournament, is now keeping out veteran gloveman Tim Ludeman, who was dropped ahead of the Stars game having failed to fire with the bat.
Christian insisted however that there is a road back for Ludeman, who is in his second season with the Renegades after moving from the Strikers.
"Ludeys a fantastic keeper. He just needs to try to get some runs wherever he can, whether its back playing for [Premier Cricket club] Geelong or just doing what he can in the nets," Christian said.
"Our batting hasnt really fired, so as long as that keeps happening I suppose well have to keep ringing the changes, until we find that right combination.
"We just need to make sure weve got someone in that top order getting us a 70 or 80."
Christian said he didnt realise Harper had such an array of attacking strokes, with the veteran all-rounders main exposure to the young keeper having come in Sheffield Shield cricket, where Harper has been known as a defensive player.
The Renegades (2-2) face the Strikers again at Geelongs GMHBA Stadium on Thursday night.
Daniel is an Age sports reporter.
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