West Indies captain Hayley Matthews signs with Melbourne Renegades
One of cricket’s most destructive all-rounders has signed with the Melbourne Renegades ahead of the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League.
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West Indies captain Hayley Matthews, one of cricket’s most destructive all-rounders, has signed with the Melbourne Renegades for the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League.
After five seasons with the Hobart Hurricanes, the 24-year-old has jumped ship and joined the Renegades ahead of the T20 competition’s eighth edition.
Matthews scored 865 runs and claimed 40 wickets in 56 matches for the Hurricanes since making her WBBL as a teenager in 2015.
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“I’m really looking forward to it. I’m excited to be in a new team and wearing red this year with the Renegades,” Matthews said in a statement.
“I love the city of Melbourne, it’s probably my favourite city in Australia. The opportunity to come over there and spend a couple of months, work with a really good coaching staff and be part of a group that has some pretty special players in it are good incentives for me.
“Any team that I’m part of, I try to bring a bit of West Indian flair to it. I really like to go out there and have fun every time I’m out on the field.
“As a West Indian, our culture is big hitting and excitement in the field – that’s exactly what I’m looking to bring to the Melbourne Renegades.”
The Renegades also recently secured the signature of Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Aussie speedster Tayla Vlaeminck.
Matthews has represented the West Indies in 69 ODIs and 61 T20Is since making her international debut in 2014.
She led Barbados during last month’s Commonwealth Games tournament in Birmingham, and has recently been plying her trade for the Welsh Fire in The Hundred.
Matthews was a standout performer for the West Indies during this year’s World Cup in New Zealand, scoring 260 runs and claiming 10 wickets during the tournament.
She currently sits fifth on the ICC Women’s T20I All-Rounder Rankings.
“Hayley will be a great fit for our team and we’re delighted to have her commit to our club for this season,” Melbourne Renegades General Manager James Rosengarten said in a statement.
“Alongside Harmanpreet Kaur, we see Hayley playing an important role in our top four. She brings a wealth of experience at international level and in the WBBL.
“Hayley’s ability to impact the game with the bat, ball and in the field – combined with her leadership attributes – makes her an exciting addition to our team.”
The WBBL gets underway in October, with the Renegades scheduled to face the Adelaide Strikers for their season opener at Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena on Sunday, October 16.
Originally published as West Indies captain Hayley Matthews signs with Melbourne Renegades
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