The Melbourne Renegades continue to strengthen their squad, with Victorian skipper Peter Handscomb signing on for this season’s BBL campaign.
Handscomb is this year’s leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield and is coming off a couple of half-centuries for the PM’s XI against the West Indies last month.
The 31-year-old knows Melbourne well having spent nine seasons with the Stars before he moved to Hobart where he played the last two years.
Handscomb joins a vastly experienced batting line-up that features former Australian representatives Aaron Finch and Nic Maddinson, while last year’s wooden spooners also have a couple of international stars to help them turn things around.
“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,” said Handscomb, who hit an unbeaten century for the Stars in BBL|04.
“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.”
The Renegades open their season with a trip to take on the Heat next Thursday, and they’ve now finalised their roster with Handscomb signing on.
“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,” Melbourne Renegades general manager James Rosengarten said.
“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.
“He’s not only a quality player but brings a wealth of experience, leadership and already has great relationships within our playing group.”
