The wrist-spinner who gives the attack variety
Left-arm wrist-spin is the hardest type of bowling to face in T20 cricket, because batters see so little of it — and Stow is one of very few bowlers in Australia who bowls it. His job is the middle overs: slow the game down, take wickets when batters try to hit him out of the attack, and give the captain a different option from the off-spin of Ben Manenti and Michael Bracewell.
He showed he belongs in BBL|15, taking wickets against Brisbane Heat in his second game and holding his place in a side that had Adam Zampa ahead of him. With Zampa gone to Hobart, the spin places are open, and Stow's four overs are the ones that can change a game in the middle. His MLC stint in the United States, where he took 4 for 25 against Lahore Qalandars, gave him franchise experience against international batters — useful preparation for a season that starts against the champions in Chennai, where spin matters.
Squad note: the Renegades have announced 15 players so far, as of 31 October 2026. The full squad has not been announced — clubs can carry up to 18 players and are still adding names — so this page will be updated as the club confirms more signings.
From Geelong to the Unicorns
Stow came through Geelong Cricket Club and Victoria's pathway system, playing for Victoria in domestic cricket before the Renegades signed him in December 2024. His BBL debut came on 14 January 2025 against Hobart Hurricanes, and he kept his place through the rest of the season.
The off-season took him further. He was picked up by the San Francisco Unicorns in Major League Cricket, where his left-arm wrist-spin stood out in a league full of right-arm options. Back home, he was delisted from Victoria's contract list for 2026-27 but asked to keep training with the squad in the hope of further opportunities — a reminder that his BBL place is the platform his whole career now rests on.
Where he fits in the Renegades
The Renegades' spin group is the most interesting part of their squad: Stow's left-arm wrist-spin, Michael Archer's leg-spin, and the off-spin of Manenti and Bracewell give Luke Ronchi four different spin options. Stow is the one who turns the ball away from right-handers and into left-handers — the mirror image of a leg-spinner.
That variety matters on the Renegades' home grounds. At the MCG the ball can grip for wrist-spin, and at Junction Oval the smaller boundaries punish predictable bowling. Stow's job is to be unpredictable. If he takes wickets in the middle overs, the Renegades' fast bowlers — Brendan Doggett, Tom Rogers and Sam Elliott — have totals to defend at the death.
The BBL Points Table will carry the standings once the season starts — the Renegades missed the finals last season, and the climb back starts in Chennai.
What’s next
Callum Stow starts BBL|16 in Chennai on 12 December, against the defending champions — the left-arm wrist-spinner in Renegades colours for the first time this season.
The full list of every BBL fixture is on the BBL Schedule, with the Chennai opener first.
- Match 1 — vs Perth Scorchers: Sat 12 Dec, 2:40 PM IST · Chennai
- Match 9 — vs Sydney Sixers: Tue 22 Dec, 1:45 PM IST · Sydney Cricket Ground
- vs Hobart Hurricanes: Thu 24 Dec · Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
- Melbourne derby — vs Melbourne Stars: Sat 16 Jan · Melbourne Cricket Ground
Follow every Renegades result as it happens on SialTV, with the points table updated after every match day.
Frequently asked questions
What type of bowler is Callum Stow?
A slow left-arm wrist-spinner — a rare bowling type in Australian cricket. He bowls left-arm wrist-spin and bats right-handed.
When did Callum Stow make his BBL debut?
On 14 January 2025, for the Melbourne Renegades against Hobart Hurricanes. He was signed by the club in December 2024.
When does Callum Stow play his first match for Melbourne Renegades?
His first match is Match 1 against Perth Scorchers on Saturday 12 December 2026, starting at 2:40 PM IST at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai — the first BBL match ever played outside Australia.