Melbourne Renegades mulling over Brad Hogg contract

The Melbourne Renegades are reportedly ready to offer 45-year old Brad Hogg a lucrative contract for the upcoming edition of the Big Bash League. The former Aussie spinner was marginally successful in the previous edition of the BBL as he snared six wickets at just 7.03 runs per over during BBL05 for the Perth Scorchers and boasts a career T20 economy of just over 6.5, but is yet to be offered a new deal for the sixth edition of the BBL.

Hogg announced his retirement from Australian cricket in 2007 shortly after the conclusion of the World Cup in the West Indies. However, he proved to everyone that he was indeed evergreen by making a comeback to the side. He was also a prominent part of the Australian side that staked their claim in the 2014 edition of the World T20.

Although it is not unusual for Hogg to re-sign just before a BBL tournament, there are added complications this year — notably the Scorchers’ desire to accommodate retired Test star Mitchell Johnson in their already crowded salary cap of $1.4 million.

Further reports also go on to suggest that former left-arm pacer Mitchell Johnson. The recently retired pacer, who is currently contracted with the Kings XI Punjab, may well demand a sum of $125,000 Hogg could easily demand a six-figure sum but would likely have to settle for around $50-60K at the Scorchers given the squeeze. They are expected to sign two-year contracts for the same.

While the older stars seem to be staking their claim in the tournament, the younger spinners in the form of Ashton Agar and James Muirhead are being overlooked in the tournament. While Agar was selected for the World T20 2016, he bowled just the 9 overs in BBL 5 while Muirhead played understudy to Brad Hogg who was performing beyond his expectations.

It left David Saker’s team without a frontline wrist spinner as the Renegades won just three games for the tournament and missed finals for the third straight season.

“Etihad Stadium is a unique venue where quality spin can play a huge role,” former Strikers coach and Sixers assistant Darren Berry told Foxsports.com.au.

“If the Renegades are going after Hogg then that would be a terrific move for them.”