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Melbourne Renegades take a swipe at Shane Warne's return, say Shahid Afridi is a better T20 bowler
Melbourne Renegades, who will play out of Etihad Stadium this summer, tried to sign Shane Warne before the 42-year-old decided to join cross-town rivals Melbourne Stars.
Shane Warne v Shahid Afridi
SHANE WARNE
T20 Matches: 58
Wickets: 59
Ave: 25.79
Econ: 7.21
BBI: 4-21
SHAHID AFRIDI
T20 Matches: 94
Wickets: 120
Ave: 17.80
Econ: 6.30
BBI: 5-20
The Renegades say they simply couldn't afford to sign Warne under the salary cap.
But instead of lamenting missing out on the greatest spin bowler in history, the Renegades claim they have a better bowler in their ranks: Pakistan leg-spinner Shahid Afridi.
Despite Warne's distinguished international career and impressive record in the Indian Premier League, Renegades coach Simon Helmot says Afridi is "the best T20 spinner going around".
Renegades captain Andrew McDonald, a former teammate of Warne for Victoria, has also delivered a not-so-subtle dig at the Stars' marquee signing.
"We just hope that Warnie is the Warnie that bowled at the MCG some four years ago, because there's nothing worse than someone coming out of retirement and not being near their best in such a competition," McDonald said.
"So hopefully Warnie's up to scratch."
Bushrangers players form the bulk of Melbournes franchises, but Helmot believes state allegiences will be forgotten once the Big Bash League begins on December 16
"Mark my words, once we're out of the Bushrangers environment, especially when we play each other on January 7 at the MCG, it's going to be gloves off, he said.
Melbourne Renegades, who will play out of Etihad Stadium this summer, tried to sign Shane Warne before the 42-year-old decided to join cross-town rivals Melbourne Stars.
Shane Warne v Shahid Afridi
SHANE WARNE
T20 Matches: 58
Wickets: 59
Ave: 25.79
Econ: 7.21
BBI: 4-21
SHAHID AFRIDI
T20 Matches: 94
Wickets: 120
Ave: 17.80
Econ: 6.30
BBI: 5-20
The Renegades say they simply couldn't afford to sign Warne under the salary cap.
But instead of lamenting missing out on the greatest spin bowler in history, the Renegades claim they have a better bowler in their ranks: Pakistan leg-spinner Shahid Afridi.
Despite Warne's distinguished international career and impressive record in the Indian Premier League, Renegades coach Simon Helmot says Afridi is "the best T20 spinner going around".
Renegades captain Andrew McDonald, a former teammate of Warne for Victoria, has also delivered a not-so-subtle dig at the Stars' marquee signing.
"We just hope that Warnie is the Warnie that bowled at the MCG some four years ago, because there's nothing worse than someone coming out of retirement and not being near their best in such a competition," McDonald said.
"So hopefully Warnie's up to scratch."
Bushrangers players form the bulk of Melbournes franchises, but Helmot believes state allegiences will be forgotten once the Big Bash League begins on December 16
"Mark my words, once we're out of the Bushrangers environment, especially when we play each other on January 7 at the MCG, it's going to be gloves off, he said.