WBBL 2022: Sophie Molineux re-signs with Melbourne Renegades

Sophie Molineux been overcome her Commonwealth Games dumping by becoming one of the first stars to ink a new deal for the next WBBL campaign.

Alyssa Healy (L) will welcome an old Ashes rival, with former England captain Charlotte Edwards (R) signing on as Sixers coach. Picture: AFP.

Discarded Aussie cricketer Sophie Molineux has bounced back from the disappointment of missing the Commonwealth Games by re-signing with the Melbourne Renegades for two years.

A foot stress fracture ruled Molineux out of Australia’s triumphant Ashes and World Cup campaigns, and she was subsequently dropped as a contracted player with Cricket Australia. But the talented bowling all-rounder confirmed she was back on track to play in the WBBL and would return to the captaincy role this Women’s Big Bash season.

“The foot’s coming on, (but) it’s gone on a little bit longer than we planned,” the 24-year-old said.

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“The last game I played was the (WBBL) semi-final at Adelaide Oval … that was about six or seven months ago now, so I’m definitely playing the patient game with it.

“Hopefully, in the next month or two, I’ll be out doing some more skills and getting back in the nets and batting and bowling again so I’m really excited to do that.

“But it’s been a really different process, and I’ve really enjoyed the challenge of having a longer-term injury.

“I never would want to do it again, but it’s definitely been something a little bit different that I’ve had to focus on and get right.”

Sophie Molineux has re-signed with Melbourne Renegades.

Molineux is a foundation Renegade and the club’s games record holder, having played 87 WBBL matches for the Renegades since making her debut as a teenager in WBBL01.

Molineux was appointed captain last season under new coach Simon Helmot, and the team lifted from seventh, to finals.

Molineux said she expected a big WBBL campaign ahead.

“I’m super pumped and really, really optimistic and looking forward to the next couple of years – especially after the last 12 months that we’ve had,” Molineux said.

“I was really lucky to have had that first year of captaincy under Simon Helmot.

“He definitely took me under his wing, and we had a great group of girls who were very willing to play any role they could for the team.”

“I’m really looking forward to this year, to be able to come back to Melbourne, bring it back to our home state and play some home games in front of our fans.”

Last season Molineux was one of the tournament’s most economical bowlers, with the left-arm spinner conceding 5.85 runs an over, claiming 10 wickets to take her WBBL total to 67.

Renegades general manager James Rosengarten described Molineux as one of the best spin bowlers in Australia and an impactful all-round cricketer.

“At just 24 years of age, she is already a proven performer on the international stage and her best cricket is still to come,” he said.

“As a captain, Sophie was outstanding last year and her partnership with Simon Helmot in his first year as coach was a real game-changer for us.”

Sophie Molineux is returning from a foot injury.

SIXERS SIGN ASHES ENEMY AS FIRST FEMALE COACH

Ben Horne

Superstars Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy will be confronted by one of their fiercest Ashes foes when they line-up for the Sydney Sixers this summer.

But for the first time, England cricket legend Charlotte Edwards will be working with them not against them.

Edwards has been appointed the Sixers’ first ever female coach and went in hard for the job because she was motivated by the challenge of reinvigorating a once great team that hasn’t tasted success now for five seasons.

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Alyssa Healy (L) will welcome an old Ashes rival, with former England captain Charlotte Edwards (R) signing on as Sixers coach. Picture: AFP.

“That was part of the reason why I applied for the role, because you saw a team that weren’t performing to their best and the coach in me was intrigued by that if I’m honest,” Edwards told News Corp.

“There’s something about this role, I was intrigued … you’re involved in some teams and you want to play a style of cricket and do this and that but sometimes you haven’t got the players.

“This team has the players.

“We can play a really exciting, entertaining style of cricket that brings success back to the club, because ultimately that’s what I’m there to do.

“I’m not coming out there to finish fifth or sixth, we want to win.

“They’ve got the pedigree of winning and hopefully I have too. I’m excited for that.”

Edwards said her dialogue with her star leaders – and former on-field enemies – Perry and Healy had been exciting.

“I’ve had lots of battles with Healy and Perry and stuff, but they’ve been fantastic so far,” she said.

“I’ve had lots of conversations with them around the team and where we’re going and it’s been really good and I can’t wait to get to work with them.”

Edwards says early discussions with Ellyse Perry and Healy has her excited for the WBBL season. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Ben Sawyer stood down from his role as Sixers coach, which he has held since the WBBL’s inception, and there’s a feeling the Sydney side needed a fresh voice.

There could be an influx of English blood as well, with Edwards working her contacts to try and bring over a couple of star UK imports for the coming season as well.

“I think we’re in talks with a number of players and it’s looking really positive. The two players we’re in conversation with will bring a lot of experience and excitement to the group I think and the skill set we want,” said Edwards.

“That’s the more important thing. We haven’t just gone for anyone, we’ve gone for the skill set we think will win us a WBBL title and I’m quite confident we’re going to secure those players … but we’ll have to wait and see.”

There are a couple of other female coaches already in the WBBL, but Edwards’ appointment continues a push for more coaching and administration jobs to be filled by women to match the ever growing professionalism in the playing ranks.