Big Bash League: Perth Scorchers champion Jason Behrendorff moves to Melbourne Renegades

Perth Scorchers champion Jason Behrendorff has left the club and signed a multi-year deal with Melbourne Renegades.

The left-arm swing king has become the first player to move under the league’s new contracting rules, which mean any player not one of 10 contracted by their club this week is effectively a free agent.

The deal for Behrendorff to join the Renegades is reportedly a three-year contract and was longer than the Scorchers had offered, although the paceman had been keen to remain a one-club player.

Behrnedorff was the Big Bash League’s leading wicket-taker this season with 17. He is a four-time title winner with the Scorchers.

The West Australian understands his new Renegades deal will make him one of the club’s highest-paid players next season.

“Moving to Melbourne has something my wife, Juvelle, and I have talked about as a goal whether the end of my career happened so to continue my career and play cricket in a city we both love is a blessing,” Behrendorff said.

“I am really excited for what the next chapter holds with the Melbourne Renegades but just as importantly for my family too.”

He is just one of the big names out-of-contract with the Scorchers. It is understood fellow fast bowler Andrew Tye is poised to miss out on a contract with the club, while reigning Allan Border Medal-winner Mitch Marsh is also a free agent this week and has interest from Melbourne Stars.

It is also expected the Scorchers will now set their sights on out-of-contract West Aussie Joel Paris as a replacement left-armer and new-ball bowler.

The move ends the New South Wales-born Behrendorff’s 15-year association with WA Cricket. The veteran walked away from a formal contract with the State program at the start of this season to give him more flexibility to play Twenty20 cricket around the world.

He left Perth for South Africa the day after the Scorchers’ finals hopes ended to play for Pretoria Capitals alongside Ashton Turner.

MOST PERTH SCORCHERS MATCHES

• Ashton Turner 129
• AJ Tye 114
• Jason Behrendorff 106
• Ashton Agar 94
• Josh Inglis 78
• Jhye Richardson 75
• Mitch Marsh 71

The Renegades have also been linked to Adelaide Strikers paceman Brendan Doggett in a bid to boost their ageing pace bowling stocks led by Tom Rogers and Kane Richardson. Victorian young gun Fergus O’Neill fell out of favour as they missed the finals this season.

“Jason is a world-class bowler and proven match-winner, so we’re delighted to have him on board,” Renegades general manager James Rosengarten said.

“His performances in BBL14 and over a long period of time shows why he’s one of the most dangerous bowlers in the competition.

“Jason’s experience and leadership qualities will also be invaluable as we continue to develop our squad and strive for sustained success.”