Hurricanes put action plan in place to cover injury to star import Hayley Matthews

If the Hurricanes are to return to the WBBL finals, they will almost certainly have to do it without star West Indian import Hayley Matthews.

Hayley Matthews lies on th eground after injuring her knee in the match against the Melbourne Stars at West Park on Sunday. Picture: Getty

IF the Hurricanes are to return to the WBBL finals, they will almost certainly have to do it without star West Indian import Hayley Matthews.

The Hurricanes confirmed Matthews, 20, suffered a medial collateral ligament injury in her right knee in Sunday’s win over Melbourne Stars in Burnie.

The early diagnosis has Matthews making a full recovery but she will be sidelined for four to six weeks, with the latter to take her out of the rest of WBBL04.

Hurricanes coach Salliann Briggs said the team had rallied around Matthews.

“I feel for Hayley as I know how much she loves playing for the Hurricanes,” Briggs said. “We’re hopeful she’ll be back to play for us later this season and we’re all wishing for a speedy recovery.”

English spinner and member of the 2017 World Cup-winning side Alex Hartley will replace Matthews in the squad.

“Alex gives us great options in and outside of the powerplay with her bowling, and has great experience at this level. She has been a key contributor in the WNCL and she’ll be keen to do the same in the WBBL.”

Hartley made her debut for Tasmania against Queensland in the 50-over WNCL in November and played in the Hurricanes­’ WBBL04 season opener against the Perth Scorchers as an international replacement player.

Former Sydney Thunder and Perth Scorchers bat Mikayla Hinkley, 20, has also joined the squad as an injury replacement for Emma Thompson (broken finger) for Saturday’s and Sunday’s games against the star-studded Sydney Sixers at Blundstone Arena.