Renegades ready for more verbal deliveries

THE Melbourne Renegades expect their “friendly banter” with the Adelaide Strikers to continue when the teams meet for the second time in a week on Friday night.

Words were exchanged between the teams on Tuesday when Strikers fielder Matt Renshaw, pictured, gave the Renegades’ Kane Richardson a verbal spray after taking a catch to dismiss him late in the Melbourne side’s innings.

It was understood to be in response to bowler Richardson having delivered a few choice words to Strikers batsman Phil Salt after claiming his wicket earlier in the night at Adelaide Oval.

Renegades young gun Mackenzie Harvey predicted a further round of verbal warfare at the same venue on Friday.

“`Richo’s’ not afraid to let other players know what’s going on, but it’s all pretty much just friendly banter out on the field,” Harvey said.

“They’re all pretty much teammates, and they’ve all played with or against each other.

“It’s like just trying to beat your mates in a game of cricket and knowing you’ve got one up on them when you go back to your home states.

“It’s always a little bit fiery out on the field because you want to win, but then off the field, there’s mutual respect for everyone that’s playing.”

The Renegades not only want a win, they are desperate to taste success after seven successive losses that has them rooted to the bottom of the ladder with just one victory from eight matches.

“We’re not quite sure exactly what’s happening at the moment but we know we have the players and the ability to win games,” Harvey said.

With veteran Shaun Marsh away for the birth of his third child, Harvey relished the chance to open for Renegades on Tuesday night, topscoring for his side with 34 off 29 balls.