Hodge, Maxwell snub Renegades to join rivals Melbourne franchise Stars - Cricket News Update
Melbourne Stars has announced the signings of veteran http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Glenn-Maxwell-c60189 from cross-town rivals Renegades for the second season of the Big Bash League.
Both players have put pen to paper on long terms deals, the former singing a two-year contract while the latter confirming a four-year move. Their acquisitions will add potency to the batting lineup, and will be seen as a huge loss for the Renegades, which finished second from bottom last season.
Hodge,37, has been a consistent T20 performer and currently is the second highest run getter in this format, behind compatriot and Stars teammate http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DJ-Hussey-c1380. His addition will surely help the franchise to greater consistency in the coming edition after finishing fourth in the inaugural campaign.
The veteran player, who scored 190 runs at an impressive average of 47 for Renegades, said his decision was mainly influenced by the lure of playing at the MCG.
"For me it just felt right to return to the MCG and probably finish off my career here," Hodge told reporters in Melbourne. "A lot of my fans are from the MCG, I am a Melbourne Cricket Club member, I am a Melbourne footy club supporter, so for me everything in my sporting life happens here. It is where I have played and it has been my second home for 17 years."
Maxwell was also quick to pounce on the opportunity to play for the Stars and the youngster is expected to provide some flare through his aggressive style of play. The player is currently performing in the English domestic season, representing http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hampshire-c789 in the FLT20 tournament, and has already amassed 178 runs at an imposing strike rate of 178.
He played six matches last year for the Renegades, scoring 128 runs, striking the ball at a decent 136.17.
“Glenn is a dynamic player, capable of influencing matches in a number of different ways. He's the type of player who can energise a team and our fans," http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ian-Michael-Chappell-c63914, the Stars chairman of selectors, said.
Emotions will certainly run high when both sides collide in the opening encounter of the league on December 7th.
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