Renegades sign double threat Seifert to two year
The New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman will be available for the entire BBL Melbourne Renegades have signed New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Seifert for two years as a pre-draft BBL signing. Seifert, 29, will be available for the full two seasons as the Renegades look to improve on their seventh-place finish last season.
His BBL deal means he will miss at least part of New Zealand’s domestic T20 tournament the Super Smash and will not be in contention for the white-ball series against Pakistan over Christmas and New Year. Last month he turned down a domestic contract with Northern Districts to open up freelance T20 opportunities.
Three ODIs for New Zealand
Seifert has played three ODIs and 61 T20s for New Zealand, while he has also been a part of T20 leagues around the world. He averages 27.43 in this format and has a strike-rate of 130.12, including three centuries. Last month he became the leading run-scorer in the Lanka Premier League with 400 runs at an average of 57.14 and a strike-rate of 135.13. He looks set to form a power-packed top three for the Renegades alongside Josh Brown and Jake Fraser-McGurk, who joined from Brisbane Heat, and Quinton de Kock last season.
He is also a frontrunner to take the keeping gloves after playing the overseas keeping role with Jordan Cox. I’m thrilled to be here for the next two seasons, I’ll be able to enjoy the atmosphere and get to know the club on a deeper level that doesn’t often happen in franchise cricket, so I’m excited to call myself Ged for at least the next couple of seasons, Seifert said.
It would be fantastic to make the top three
It would be fantastic to make the top three and if Cam White feels I am the man to take the gloves then I am up for that as well. Also, I am ready to get fit and play whatever role Whitey and the Renegades need me to play.
Renegades general manager James Rosengarden said: “Tim gives us a dual threat; we get a powerful and skilful batsman as well as an established international keeper and a regular member of the Blackcaps programme, so we are excited to welcome him to the club.
Extremely valuable for top overseas players this BBL season
The beauty is that Tim has full availability which is extremely valuable for top overseas players this BBL season and it is fantastic for our club to lock Tim in and still retain our prized Platinum pick.
The BBL Draft will take place on September 1. The Renegades have picks No. 2, 10, 23 and 26. The 29-year-old T20 specialist has played 61 T20 matches for New Zealand and featured in T20 franchise competitions including the IPL, PSL and CPL and will make his first move to the Big Bash this summer.
Seifert said he was looking forward to taking the “first step” like other big international names such as Kieron Pollard and Chris Gayle to play for the Renegades. “Being a Kiwi, I have watched a lot of the Big Bash in my journey and seen some of the big names. I am thrilled to be here for the next two seasons, I will be able to enjoy the atmosphere here and get to know the club on a deeper level than you often get in franchise cricket,” he said.
Excited to call himself Gade for the next few seasons
The Renegades have added Jake Fraser-McGurk and recruited big hitter Josh Brown from the Brisbane Heat, leaving them suddenly spoilt for top-order strength, with Seifert likely to come in at No. 3. That top three spot would be fantastic and if Cam (White, Renegades coach) feels I’m the right person to take the gloves then I’m up for that as well.
At the same time, I’m ready to get fit and play whatever role Whitey and the Renegades need me to play. Seifert was left out of New Zealand’s squad for this year’s T20 World Cup but is in the Black Caps’ T20I top 10.
He is the Black Caps’ leading run-scorer with 1291 runs in 61 caps. Recently, the 29-year-old topped the runs leaderboard while playing for the Galle Marvels in the Sri Lanka Premier League with 400 runs in 10 innings, including a highest score of 104 not out off 63 balls.
Conclusion
The Melbourne Renegades have roped in Kiwi Tim Seifert on a two-year deal to improve their top order and fill the vacant wicketkeeper-batsman role.
The Renegades have made Seifert their direct international signing under new availability rules introduced for the KFC BBL|14. In a groundbreaking deal, the club confirmed they retain the No. 2 pick in this year’s overseas player draft, which will be held on September 1.
A wicketkeeper and top-order batsman, Seifert will be available for the full season to fill the role played by Quinton de Kock last year, and add international experience to a club that has also seen veterans Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh retire.
