Melbourne's new Big Bash League (BBL) team is set to be named the Rangers, the Magic, or the Blazers, according to reports. The Rangers is the hot favourite, according to respected cricket writer Dan Cherny, but cricket fans are unimpressed and baffled as to why the Bushrangers name is being avoided.
Why Not Bushrangers?
Cricket Victoria believes the Bushrangers name is not gender appropriate, despite Australia having several high-profile female bushrangers from the past, including Mrs Winter, Elizabeth Jessie Hickman (The Lady Bushranger), and Mary Cockerill ('Black Mary'). The rebrand comes as the Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades are set to merge, with plans to sell the Renegades' licence to a private buyer, as revealed by 7SPORT chief cricket reporter Tom Morris.
Approval Needed
Cricket Victoria will need approval from the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) and Cricket Australia before the merger proceeds. A raging debate has already started between the states. Meanwhile, the possible names have sparked a social media frenzy.
Fan Reactions
"Why are they complicating it? Bushrangers. It's the only name/branding people want," one fan raged on X. Another said: "So we have Heat and Scorchers already. Doesn't that make Blazers a really, really shithouse choice? Magic was a basketball team. That's crap as well. It has to be Bushrangers or shut the whole thing down." Cricket writer Leigh Eustace said it simply has to be Bushrangers. "Gross," he said of the proposed new names. "If you're a Stars or Renegades fan, what compels you about any of those? Might as well have kept the Stars brand if you're contemplating starting from scratch with something meaningless. The alternative (Bushrangers) was doable, I believe. It's the name that anyone interested in this story has front of mind. It was the obvious connection. It's the obvious consideration." Another fan wondered: "Why are sports administrators so bad at this?!" While others called the names "horrendous", "horrible", and "boring". "The names suck," one fan bluntly put it. Another amusingly suggested: "What about 'Stars'?"
Privatisation Concerns
As far as the sale of the second licence goes, the players' union ACA says approval is a long way from being granted. "Whilst a potential agreement between CA and the ACA is being discussed, it is not imminent and as such, any talk of privatising any teams for the coming season is premature," it said. "Cricket Victoria's announcement about a merger between the Stars and Renegades with the introduction of a new, privately owned club has created confusion, uncertainty and anxiety amongst players. The ACA believes now is the critical juncture for all in Australian cricket to come together to find the best model for the future of all stakeholders in our game." Victoria's rival states are worried about the long-term financial viability of privatisation and how they could be affected downstream. There is a fear that once the initial financial sugar hit of privatisation wears off, the states and CA will be in a financially worse position given they have rescinded control of their assets. The three states are also sceptical of CA's plans to manage the cash-strapped Renegades if they cannot be sold in time for the upcoming BBL season, given their own financial woes. CA ran at a loss of more than $11 million for the 2024/25 financial year.
