‘We can still win it’, say Renegades
MELBOURNE Renegades will lose captain Aaron Finch and star import Mohammad Nabi to international duty this week, but Finch says the newlook squad has the depth to win the Big Bash League.
Finch will play his last game against Perth tonight. Afghanistan’s Nabi will also play against Melbourne Stars on Friday before departing.
While the Renegades have not locked in a replacement skipper, Finch said Cameron White was “most likely” to lead for the rest of the season.
Trinidadian six-machine Kieron Pollard will take Nabi’s place in the squad for the final three group matches, plus finals. Finch conceded it would be difficult to replace Nabi’s economical bowling, particularly in the powerplay.
Nabi has taken five wickets and is one of just seven BBL bowlers with an economy rate of less than six runs an over.
Nabi could replace Finch as opener against the Stars at Etihad Stadium on Friday.
Keeper Tim Ludeman or Brad Hodge are then the frontrunners to partner Marcus Harris at the top of the order for the rest of the summer.
Nabi, 32, took 1-27 and scored 52 off 30 balls after a shock promotion to No.4 against the Stars at the MCG on Saturday night.
Nabi scored 23 runs from nine spin deliveries, blasting three sixes off Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell.