The Melbourne Renegades have boosted its BBL|15 squad with the signing of exciting young batter Oliver Peake.
Peake's a keeper: Young gun signs on for BBL15
Peake, 18, joins the Renegades on a one-year deal, his first full Big Bash contract after joining the squad and making his debut for the club during BBL14 as a replacement player.
The talented left-hander from Geelong made headlines earlier this year with a composed 19 as part of an 84-run partnership with Jake Fraser-McGurk to set up the win against the Brisbane Heat at Marvel Stadium in his first hit out.
Peake said he was eager to build on his debut campaign and make the most of the opportunity.
"It’s a really special feeling to sign my first full Big Bash contract with the Renegades," Peake said.
"Getting the chance to debut last summer was a great experience, it gave me a taste of cricket at the top T20 level and I'm keen to get stuck in and hopefully play more games."
Peake’s rise through the cricketing ranks has been rapid. He played a starring role for Australia at the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in South Africa last year where, in the middle order, he hit 25no against England before composed knocks in the finals series (49 v Pakistan, Semi Final) and the decider (46no v India, Final).
He was also named the Australian Cricket Society’s Male Young Cricketer of the Year in 2024, following a standout run of performances at junior national level and in Victorian Premier Cricket with Geelong Cricket Club.
Following his stint with the Renegades squad in BBL, Peake earned a full-time contract with Victoria, following in the footsteps of his father Clinton Peake who is a former Victorian state captain.
Melbourne Renegades General Manager James Rosengarten said Peake's performance at the end of last season and his development to date had shown maturity beyond his years.
"We got a glimpse of what he’s capable of during his debut last season and his performances at the Under-19 World Cup and for Victoria either side of the Big Bash," Rosengarten said.
"He's a homegrown talent with enormous potential. He’s worked hard to earn this opportunity, and we’re excited to see how he continues to develop within our program this season."
Peake's signing comes on the same day the Melbourne Renegades confirmed the club will play its first two home games of BBL15 in Geelong.
It's extra motivation for Peake who'll be vying for a chance to play in front of a home crowd.
"Growing up in Geelong, just around the corner from GMHBA Stadium, the thought of that home ground berth is really motivating and extra exciting."
Renegades Memberships – including dedicated Geelong packages and 2-or-3-Game options – will go on sale Tuesday, 1 July.
The full BBL|15 fixture is scheduled to be released on Thursday, 3 July.