Renegades lure unwanted White

Melbourne Renegades have signed former Australia captain Cameron White after cross-town rivals Melbourne Stars didn't offer the 31-year-old a new contract.

White has signed a three-year deal with the Renegades after leading the Stars to the Big Bash League semi-finals for four consecutive seasons.

The former Bushrangers skipper, who played ODI and T20 cricket for Australia this summer, said he had hoped to stay at the MCG-based franchise, but sensed he may not get his wish when the season finished and a new contract was not tabled.

Asked why he made the move, White told News Ltd: "I guess it was just a fresh start but you’d probably have to ask the Stars as well."

"To be honest I had a bit of a gut feeling before the start of the season that there was something maybe not quite right going on at the Stars," he said.

"I was assured throughout the season that wasn’t the case but once the season finished and we missed out on the final I had a feeling it might turn out this way.

"I hadn’t been offered a contract at the Stars, so it’s a bit hard to be still be playing there when you don’t get offered a contract.

"The main factor in finding a new franchise was staying in Melbourne and once the Stars were out of the equation there was only one other team.

"If I’m being totally honest I was hopeful of staying with the Stars, but things change in professional sport and this is a fresh opportunity and something new."

White will form a dangerous top order at the Renegades along with Aaron Finch, who will retain the captaincy, and Australia wicketkeeper Matthew Wade.

News Ltd is reporting four other franchises had expressed an interest in White.

White follows Test fast-bowler Jackson Bird and coach Greg Shipperd out the door at the Stars since the end of the season.

Melbourne Renegades CEO Stuart Coventry said the franchise had identified a shortage of batting firepower as something they needed to address after finishing sixth in BBL|04.

"Cameron’s record speaks for itself, having played Test, ODI and T20 cricket for Australia over the course of his career," Coventry said, in a statement.

"We had Cameron on our list of targets because of the experience he brings to our side.

"We take a lot of pride in the team environment we’ve built at the club and we’re very happy Cameron wanted to be part of that.

"We recognised the need to further strengthen our batting line-up after the results in BBL|04 and Cameron will play a key role in that.

"We’ll have other major signings to announce in due course as well."

The addition of White continues the big off-season change at the Renegades, who parted ways with coach Simon Helmot and released Alex Doolan, Peter Nevill, Aaron O'Brien, Jayde Herrick and Andrew Fekete from their playing roster. They also traded Ben Rohrer to Sydney Thunder.

Following the trade of Rohrer, Coventry said the Renegades would announce the recruitment of five new players, including two well-known internationals.

The announcement of a new coach is expected in coming days.