The mantra is refreshingly simple.<\/p>\n
New Melbourne Renegades Big Bash League coach Luke Ronchi wants his players to be armed with a ruthless, winning edge while preserving a genuine joy for the game.<\/p>\n
Ronchi was unveiled on Friday as the man to steer the Renegades through what could be their final year under the red banner.<\/p>\n
A private investor is likely to take over the franchise in the future after Cricket Victoria announced plans to sell 100 per cent of the Renegades and focus on one Victorian BBL club.<\/p>\n
But Ronchi, who played international cricket for Australia and New Zealand, isn\u2019t fretting over any shifting sands.<\/p>\n
Instead, he is searching for total commitment from his new players that blends a relaxed environment with a hard-nosed focus.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am a pretty relaxed person, I want them to enjoy what they\u2019re doing, but I also want them to have purpose in what they\u2019re doing,\u201d Ronchi said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t be too carefree but it\u2019s making sure you\u2019re enjoying what you\u2019re trying to do. I think performances will help from that.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom a player point of view, if they\u2019re looking at what they can bring to a team, I think there\u2019s always something bigger than individuals in a game of cricket.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think if players can think along those lines, they get out of their own heads a little bit and get more of what\u2019s needed in a moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want them to enjoy it \u2013 that\u2019s the biggest thing. I want to try and enhance their skill-set, the stuff they know they\u2019re good at and make sure they\u2019re having fun doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ronchi\u2019s relaxed view on the Renegades\u2019 future stems from his experience in franchise cricket.<\/p>\n
The way he sees it, the landscape dramatically evolves every year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere might be a little bit of (change), but a lot of these guys are going to continue on in their careers in the Big Bash,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever the franchise looks like after this season, it is what it is, but again, I kind of think each year. No matter what team you\u2019re with in T20 space is effectively going to be the last year as a group all together anyway.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are always changes each season, so I think the guys are going to go out there and give it their best chance to see how it goes.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Renegades have received short returns from some of their marquee overseas signings in recent seasons.<\/p>\n
Quinton de Kock failed to reach 50 in his six innings in 2023-24 and Mohammad Rizwan was retired from an innings due to his strike rate.<\/p>\n
Ronchi is already working the phones to land powerful imports, but he will maintain the focus on balance over selecting the best available.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s already started, we\u2019re looking at the list and how we can improve positions on the team and what it might look like,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s from an overseas point of view, a local point of view and how we can marry that all up to fit in with what\u2019s available.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne thing we want is to make sure there\u2019s a consistency across the board with who\u2019s around, and make sure we know we\u2019re bringing in the right people to help the team.\u201d<\/p>\n