Docklands is the home of the Renegades
27 Sep 2011
Docklands has its very own cricket team. Not every Docklander can play because you have to be one of the best in the world to get a guernsey. But everyone can support the new Renegades cricket team.
Based at Etihad Stadium, the Renegades are a brand new team and in December will play their first game in what is known as the Big Bash League.
Big Bash is a new term for the most abbreviated version of the game which, according to coach Simon Helmot, can be all over in three hours.
With both teams facing just 180 balls, Simon says fans will see more attacking play and “amazing skills” that are not present in longer versions of the game.
“With our red colours and some of the most exciting players in the world we can guarantee some very entertaining cricket,” Mr Helmot said.
The Renegades are keen to sign up as many Docklanders as possible as members.
With brand values that include a “healthy streak” of anti-establishment sentiment, Mr Helmot says this is a good fit with Docklands, which is also the new kid on the block.
“We love the idea of being in Docklands and we can’t wait to get out and explore the precinct,” he said.
Mr Helmot has been coaching the Victorian one-day cricket team and will continue in this role as well as taking on the Renegades.
He was appointed coach of the Renegades in April. But, instead of being introduced to the players, he was assigned $1 million and told to go out and buy 18 of the world’s best.
He has a solid core of Victorians and has recruited South Australian paceman Shaun Tait as well as Pakistanis Shaid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq.
Mr Helmot said his fast bowlers Shaun Tait and Dirk Nannes were the world's fastest.
The players won’t come together for the first time until December 10 when they will attend a camp designed to bond them into a team in time for the first game against the Adelaide Strikers in South Australia on December 18.
The Renegades’ first home game in Docklands is against the Perth Scorchers on December 22.
For further information, see http://www.melbournerenegades.com.au
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