Melbourne Renegades acquire pacer Jason Behrendorff in first BBL free agency move

The Melbourne Renegades have secured the services of free agent Jason Behrendorff on a three-year deal in the Big Bash League (BBL). The left-arm pacer is the first major signing under the BBL’s new player movement window.

Behrendorff’s exit from the Perth Scorchers surprised many fans as he had been a key to Scorchers' success, playing a crucial role in four BBL title wins over his 13-year career. However, with the Scorchers missing the finals for the first time in five seasons, the franchise made tough decisions regarding its roster. Behrendorff and other high-profile players like Andrew Tye and Mitchell Marsh were left off the list of 10 players retained before the opening of the player movement window.

For Scorchers, he picked 140 wickets to become the franchise’s second all-time leading wicket-taker. In the recent 2024-25 season, the pacer bagged 17 wickets at an average of 17.41 and an economy rate of 7.55. Notably, he was the highest wicket-taker of the season. Yet, with the Scorchers opting for a squad change, the Renegades took the opportunity to bring the experienced seamer to Melbourne.

Have enjoyed my time as an individual player and as a teammate: Jason Behrendorff

The Melbourne-based franchise offered Behrendorff a three-year deal that provided him with the security of a stable role. Behrendorff expressed mixed emotions about leaving Perth but spoke about the excitement of joining a new team.

"The Scorchers will always have a special place in my heart, I had always thought I would finish my BBL career in orange however that is not meant to be. I leave the club knowing I have given my all, I have seriously enjoyed my time as an individual player and as a teammate. As a team, we worked so hard and because of that we have been able to enjoy a lot of success, being a part of 4 BBL trophy's has been a career highlight.

"Moving to Melbourne has been something Juvelle [Behrendorff's wife] and I have talked about as a goal whenever the end of my career happened so to be able to continue my career and play cricket in a city we both love is a blessing. I am really excited for what the next chapter holds for myself with the Melbourne Renegades but just as importantly for my family too," he said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

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Behrendorff's deal with Renegades could also open the door to him playing for the Cricket Victoria-run Major League Cricket franchise San Francisco Unicorns.