Cricket News By TODAYLIVESCORE.INFO - Maddinson named Renegades captain after Finch steps down. Maddinson will miss the start of the BBL season as he is part of the Australia A squad to face the England Lions from December 9
Maddinson will miss the start of the BBL season as he is part of the Australia A squad to face the England Lions from December 9
Nic Maddinson will lead Melbourne Renegades in the the 11th edition of the Big Bash League after regular skipper Aaron Finch decided to step down from captaincy as a result of the busy international schedule. Finch, who has been skipper of the Renegades since the second season of the BBL, has problems with his knee and is likely to miss the start of the upcoming BBL.
“That was a really easy one, to be honest,” Finch said on his decision to step down, which he took after discussion with coach David Saker. “It was a chat I had with Sakes, probably two months, six weeks ago about I think just having a young family and I guess captaining every game that you play around the world.
“It does take its toll and probably doesn't allow you enough time at times to be able to work on your own game as much as you would like and I suppose in the Big Bash, we've got a really young squad at the Renegades and I think to have the opportunity to work with the young players a bit closer as just as a player and not have your focus taken away from just helping them out as much as you can by meetings and strategy meetings and things like that, I think it will be really important.
This will be the first season for Maddinson with the Renegades, having moved from Melbourne Stars. It is also the third BBL team that Maddinson will represent, having started his career with Sydney Sixers. Finch said he would like to give all the help to Maddinson to ensure a smooth transition.
“Hopefully I can be a really important part of the transition with Maddo as captain as well. I think I wouldn't like to leave the Renegades, say I play for two more years and I just captain right to the end of that and there's been no real succession plan, I think that would be a bit unfair. So hopefully I can still have an impact with Maddo and sort of help him if need be.”
“It's a huge honour and a challenge I'm really looking forward to. It's a great group of players with some young guys mixed in with experienced players. Taking over from someone like ‘Finchy' is a huge task but having him around to help out and be that experienced head will be a great plus for me,” added Maddinson.
Maddinson too will miss the start of the BBL season as he is part of the Australia A squad to face the England Lions from December 9 while he is also set to participate in the intra-squad match ahead of the Ashes. The Renegades will also be without Shaun Marsh, who is recovering from a calf tear, and Marcus Harris (Test duties).
