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Boyce moves north to Renegades

Leg-spinner becomes the 16th signing for Melbourne Renegades for BBL|08

Melbourne Renegades have signed former Australia leg-spinner Cameron Boyce, who has followed allrounder Dan Christian in joining from Hobart Hurricanes in the off-season.

Boyce has been with the Hurricanes for five summers and played all 10 regular season matches in BBL|07, but was dropped for the semi-final and final.

The 28-year-old is Melbourne's 16th Australian signing for BBL|08, with two overseas players expected to complete their 18-man roster. The recruitment of Boyce to join left-armer Jon Holland is bad news for veteran wrist spinner Brad Hogg, who has not been re-contracted after last season.

The Renegades have been tight-lipped on the identity of their overseas players for the coming season, although West Indian allrounder Dwayne Bravo - who has been with them since 2014 - is reportedly set to make a move to cross-town rivals the Stars.

Imports Mohammad Nabi and Kieron Pollard both played for the club last season, while star Windies allrounder Sunil Narine withdrew just before the tournament began for personal reasons. The club has also expressed an interest in signing South African superstar AB de Villiers after he retired from international cricket last month.

The Renegades, who lost a thrilling semi-final to Adelaide last summer, have said goodbye to three players in the off-season; fast bowler James Pattinson (Brisbane Heat), allrounder Matt Short (Adelaide Strikers) and veteran Brad Hodge (retired). 

The move north represents a severing of all ties with Tasmanian cricket for Boyce, who lost his Tigers contract earlier this year.

The Queenslander, who played seven T20s for Australia between 2014 and 2016, had previously played for Adelaide Strikers.

The leggie boasts solid numbers from his brief stint in international cricket, with eight wickets at an impressive economy rate of just 6.60.

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He picked up just six wickets last season but was Hobart's most economical frontline bowler before he was dropped.

Former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist said he was "stunned" when Boyce was axed for Hobart's semi-final against the Scorchers in Perth, which the Hurricanes won to progress to the finals.

Overall, Boyce is the BBL's equal sixth-highest wicket-taker with 49 scalps from 46 matches and an economy rate of 8.21.

Melbourne Renegades

Current squad: Cameron Boyce, Dan Christian, Tom Cooper, Zak Evans, Aaron Finch, Marcus Harris, Mackenzie Harvey, Jon Holland, Tim Ludeman, Joe Mennie, Kane Richardson, Will Sutherland, Chris Tremain, Beau Webster, Cameron White, Jack Wildermuth.

In: Cameron Boyce (Hurricanes), Dan Christian (Hurricanes), Zak Evans, Mackenzie Harvey, Will Sutherland (rookie).

Out: Brad Hodge (retired), James Pattinson (Heat), Matt Short (Strikers).

Roster spots to fill: two

Internationals signed: zero