Cricket Victoria (CV) chief executive Nick Cummins has confirmed that the Bushrangers name could be revived as part of the organisation's merger plan, which will see the Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades scrapped. However, he acknowledged that the project's perceived success ultimately depends on the unified Big Bash League (BBL) franchise finally winning on the field, given that the two teams have combined for only two titles across 26 men's and women's seasons.
New Structure for Victorian Cricket
CV will lead a Melbourne Cricket Ground-based outfit that will retain the Melbourne name and wear navy blue. The other licence will be sold off and operated as a second team, still likely based in Victoria, by private owners. Cummins stated that the decision to eliminate the Stars and Renegades brands and colours was based on research showing that fans of both teams would support a united Melbourne team, but Renegades fans would not switch to the Stars or vice versa if only one team were scrapped.
Return of the Bushrangers
Reintroducing a navy blue team, potentially sporting a Big V jersey similar to the Vics in the one-day competition, could herald a return to the Bushrangers name. The name was formally retired in 2018, alongside the Spirit name used for the women's team. The Bushrangers won four Big Bash titles before the league was overhauled from a state-based competition to eight city-based franchises.
"We haven't decided on the name yet," Cummins told SEN regarding the unified franchise. "The Bushrangers is in play and that holds a lot of emotion and heritage for many fans. However, we need to consider that the Bushrangers is fairly gender-specific, whereas now we have both a BBL and a WBBL team. We are mindful of that and are working through it, with a few boxes to tick with Cricket Australia."
Fan Reactions and On-Field Performance
Cummins noted that CV has already received "a range of reactions" during research with fans and stakeholders. "When I floated it with my children, who are Stars and Renegades fans, they initially hated the idea, but I floated it with others and they absolutely love it," he said. He acknowledged that the Stars and Renegades mean different things to different fan groups, with the Big Bash now old enough for young adults to have been lifelong supporters.
"Ultimately, I think it's what the unified team stands for when they take the field," Cummins added. "If they take the field and are terrible and finish last, clearly the decision will be seen as a bad idea among fans. If they take the field and win, then the view will probably be 'imagine if we had been a unified Victorian team for the last 15 years — we probably would have won the Big Bash every year.' That's the reality of sport; it's up to us to fulfil the promise."
Off-Field Success and Future Ownership
Cummins insisted that the Stars and Renegades have been successful off the field, and a new ownership group for the second licence will be selected based on its vision for the future. He tiptoed around the possibility of an Indian Premier League franchise taking over the Renegades but highlighted a key factor: the plan to attract the "enormous" number of people, particularly from the South Asian diaspora, who are interested in the Big Bash but do not attend games.
"There's still going to be a derby. The derbies are the most important games each year, so that remains the case," Cummins said. "When we sell one of our licences, one of the most important things we'll look at is the buyer: how can they bring the derby to life and get the biggest possible crowd? How can they inspire parts of Melbourne that are not currently engaged in the Big Bash and bring them in large numbers? Turn that 68,000 crowd into 88,000. The derby will remain, but we think the second team will be able to activate parts of our community that haven't been all that engaged in Big Bash."
Approval and Timeline
Any sale of BBL licences will require approval from the Australian Cricketers Association, which is understood to still be some way off. Cricket Australia's privatisation plan for the BBL stalled in late April when Queensland and New South Wales torpedoed the original proposal. South Australia was interested in a hybrid proposal, while Victoria, Tasmania, and Western Australia were keen on bringing in private investors. CV's sale will not be finalised for months, with the Stars and Renegades expected to play on in 2026-27.
As things stand, Renegades players will be sold with the licence, but Cummins said details will be confirmed during negotiations. The CV boss accepted the challenge of the unified team going up against a well-financed opponent in Victoria. "We welcome it," Cummins said. "We want someone who will come in and have a real crack because ultimately, if they are competitive on and off the field, they drive interesting cricket, which is good for the sport and makes us work harder and better. I think competition in the market will make us a more effective organisation; they'll challenge us. It's not just about taking the most money in selling the licence. We're interested in a team that will be competitive and work with us to ensure both derbies sell out. Who will come out and inspire Victoria with us is important."
