On Monday, July 15, the Melbourne Renegades announced that all-rounder Hayley Matthews has extended her stay at the club by signing a one-year deal. With this signing, the Renegades secured their first international player for the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) season.
Matthews, the West Indies skipper, will play her third consecutive season with the Renegades. She rejoined the team under the league’s new contract provision, allowing clubs to sign overseas players ahead of the draft. The Renegades are the fourth club to secure an overseas signing ahead of the WBBL|10 draft.
Hayley Matthews expressed her excitement about continuing with the Melbourne Renegades, confident in her ability to make a significant impact on the team and contribute to strong performances, to reach the final.
“I’m super excited to be back with the girls; I’m confident I can play a massive role within the team and help put up some really good performances and hopefully lead us to a finals series,” she stated.
She emphasised the strong bonds and relationships she has built with the Renegades over the past few years, appreciating the club’s welcoming atmosphere that feels like a big family.
“I’ve built some really strong bonds and relationship at the Renegades over the past couple of years. The main thing I can appreciate about this club is the way they bring me in and make me feel so welcome. I can step back in to what feels like a massive family.”
Despite failing to achieve their goals in the past couple of seasons, Matthews is optimistic about the team’s prospects with key members returning and new additions enhancing their chances.
“We haven’t achieved what we’ve wanted to the last couple of years but with some key members back and some new additions cooking up as well, I’m confident we can go out there and put it all together.”
Matthews made her debut for the Hobart Hurricanes in the inaugural season of the WBBL. Since then, she has played 84 matches in the tournament, amassing 1,373 runs and taking 64 wickets. She has scored one half-century and claimed one five-wicket haul, with her best bowling figure being 5/19.
In her last two seasons with the Renegades, Matthews stepped up in the absence of an injured Sophie Molineux as WBBL|09 captain and that all-important power-play bowler. In the last two seasons with the Renegades, Matthews assumed leadership in WBBL|09 in place of the injured Sophie Molineux. During WBBL|09, she took 14 wickets, achieving a best bowling figure of 3/17 with an economy rate of 7.79. Additionally, she contributed 255 runs at a strike rate of 114.34.
Melbourne Renegades General Manager, James Rosengarten, highlighted Hayley Matthews as a key target for the club’s pre-draft list spot, expressing delight at having her for another season.
“We’re delighted to have Hayley with us for another season,” he said.
He praised her as an incredible all-round cricketer and leader, eager to see her contributions with both bat and ball. He expressed satisfaction in securing such a highly sought-after player prior to the draft.
“She’s an incredible all-round cricketer and leader, we can’t wait to see what she can bring this season with bat and ball. She brings so much to the Renegades and we’re very happy to secure such in demand player prior to the draft.”
Melbourne Renegades’ WBBL|10 Squad (to date):
Sophie Molineux (C), Josie Dooley, Ella Hayward, Hayley Matthews, Georgia Wareham, Courtney Webb