The Melbourne Renegades have signed Italy all-rounder Ben Manenti on a two-year deal. It’s his third BBL club — after bit-part stints with the Sydney Sixers and Adelaide Strikers — but this time he arrives as a proven match-winner.
Manenti was Italy’s star at their first T20 World Cup in February: top scorer with 138 runs in three innings, and second-highest wicket-taker with five. The highlight was a 25-ball 60 against England at Eden Gardens — six sixes and four fours — that nearly pulled off an upset. He also hit a 29-ball fifty against Scotland and took 2 for 9 in Italy’s first-ever World Cup win over Nepal.
Then he backed it up at home. As stand-in captain for South Australia on Friday, he made his maiden first-class century: 128 off 112 balls against Victoria.
The Zampa-sized gap
With Adam Zampa gone to the Hobart Hurricanes, the Renegades needed a spinner. Manenti’s off-spin gives coach Luke Ronchi a real option — plus a batter who can clear the rope late in an innings. Nine years of waiting for a proper BBL break, then one World Cup changes everything. His timing couldn’t be better.
Why did the Renegades sign Ben Manenti?
They needed a spinner after Adam Zampa moved to Hobart, and Manenti was the form all-rounder of the winter — Italy’s best at the T20 World Cup and fresh off a Sheffield Shield century.
What is Ben Manenti’s best T20 innings?
A 25-ball 60 against England at Eden Gardens in the 2026 T20 World Cup, with six sixes and four fours.
Which BBL teams has Ben Manenti played for?
The Sydney Sixers and Adelaide Strikers before this. The Renegades are his third club.
Last verified: 10 October 2026