Hobart Hurricanes have completed their international signings for Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 12 by bringing in West Indies allrounder Chinelle Henry. The 31-year-old Jamaican will join the defending champions after making her Big Bash debut with Brisbane Heat last summer. Henry gives Hobart another batting option and another pace-bowling choice. She will join returning internationals Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Linsey Smith for the upcoming season.
Henry played nine matches for Brisbane Heat in WBBL 11, scoring 136 runs at a strike rate of 121.43. She has continued to show her ability to change games with the bat in international T20 cricket. Earlier this year, she made an unbeaten 35 from just 15 balls for Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League final. For Hobart, she will provide power and flexibility through the batting order while also offering another bowling option. Her previous Big Bash experience should help her settle into the competition.
“I’m really excited to be joining the Hurricanes and getting back to Australia for another Big Bash season,” Henry said. “Most people would know me as that explosive athlete, who can hit a long ball but I like to see myself more than that. I’m a team player and a team person.” She will look to settle quickly and contribute to the defending champions.
Henry also spoke about joining a squad with most of its players returning. “With most of the girls returning to the squad… they know what it’s like to win titles. Being part of the that is just trying to fit in as quickly as possible, adapting to the style of the team and how I fit into that to help in whatever way I can to defend the title.” She will aim to contribute with both bat and ball.
Cricket Tasmania General Manager – High-Performance Salliann Beams said Henry was the type of player Hobart wanted for its final international spot. “We were quite deliberate in what we wanted from our third international spot and Chinelle fits that profile really well,” Beams said. “We wanted someone who could provide genuine power with the bat while also giving us another bowling option, and Chinelle has shown she can impact games in both areas.”
Henry’s signing also brings another West Indian connection to Hobart this summer. Her arrival follows the signing of fellow West Indies international Shai Hope for the Hurricanes’ BBL 16 campaign. Her ability to contribute in more than one area gives Hobart another option as the defending champions prepares for WBBL 12.
Hobart Hurricanes WBBL 12 squad:
Nicola Carey, Heather Graham, Ella Hayward, Chinelle Henry (O/S), Ruth Johnston, Lizelle Lee, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Amy Smith, Lauren Smith, Linsey Smith (O/S), Molly Strano, Rachel Trenaman, Callie Wilson, Danni Wyatt-Hodge (O/S)
Henry’s addition completes Hobart’s international contingent for WBBL 12, with Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Linsey Smith also returning as overseas players. Her WBBL 11 campaign included nine matches, 136 runs and a strike rate of 121.43, while her unbeaten 35 from 15 balls in the WPL final showed her ability to score quickly. She will now look to use that experience in another Big Bash season.
The Hobart Hurricanes will enter WBBL 12 with their squad ready for another campaign. The team will now prepare carefully. She brings experience from the Big Bash, international T20 cricket and the Women’s Premier League, while her role can provide flexibility during matches throughout the season ahead. Hobart will hope her previous Australian experience helps her make a smooth return. With their international group now complete, the defending champions can turn their attention to the new season and their title defence.
(Inputs sourced from Hobart Hurricanes press release)
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