The Comets will take on the Renegades in the first week of December to give the Melbourne side practice for the Twenty20 competition, which begins on December 7.

The Renegades have recruited the leading wicket taker in Test and one-day international history, Muttiah Muralitharan, and are coached by former Comets mentor Simon Helmot.

The matches will give Canberra's top cricketers a chance to win a league contract after the Baby Bash second-tier contract was scrapped.

Wests-UC opening bowler Ben Oakley was on the verge of signing a deal with Adelaide last season, before being struck down by injury, and powerful batsman Jono Dean came close to linking up with the Perth Scorchers.

With limited chances to impress state and Big Bash League selectors, Higgs said taking on the Renegades was a perfect launch pad for the Comets.

''It was very disappointing when they scratched the Baby Bash, but we're happy we've got these matches coming up,'' Higgs said.

''It's a great way to show your worth and get your foot in the door.

''That's why the Baby Bash was good, you've got to have quality performances against quality opposition.''

The Comets will play two matches against the Renegades on December 3. They will then pick the best-performing Comets to be mixed in with Renegades players in an intra-squad contest.

The Renegades are trying to have the matches played at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.

The Comets were due to have another Twenty20 match against the Sydney Sixers before the Champions League, but a change in schedule meant it could not be played.

The Renegades boast Sri Lankan Muralitharan, former Comet Will Sheridan, big-hitting Aaron Finch and Nathan Rimmington.

Canberra fast bowler Oakley will have limited involvement with the Comets during the Futures League season, but he will join the team for the Twenty20 matches.

If he stays fit, he could be a chance to be picked up for the Big Bash League. Higgs also backed Jono and Blake Dean to be in contention for a contract.

Meanwhile, the Comets will begin their Futures League season with a match against the NSW second XI at Manuka Oval from October 29 to November 1.

There was hope that Michael Clarke and Shane Watson would play for the second XI to get match practice before the opening Test of the season against South Africa.

NSW plays a Sheffield Shield game from November 2-5 with the Australian team going into camp on November 5.

But Cricket Australia tinkered with the schedule yesterday to allow NSW players to be interchanged in the Sheffield Shield game so they could join the Test squad.

The Comets will name their team tomorrow for the Futures League match.