As part of the “Player Movement Window” which opened from 2nd December 2024 after the conclusion of the landmark 10th edition of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), the defending champions, Melbourne Renegades, have made their first move by trading the young 21-year-old all-rounder Tess Flintoff from the Melbourne Stars for the 11th edition of the tournament.
As per the Player Movement Window, the franchises have the opportunity to trade players from other teams without requiring exchanging their player in return. Notably, last season, the trade of the wicket-keeper batter Nicole Faltum from the Melbourne Stars to the Renegades ahead of the 10th edition of the tournament paid off for the club in their maiden championship season this year.
Franchises can also sign the players whose contract came to an end after the 10th edition from their rival teams. The clubs cannot resign or extend the contracts of their existing players during this 10-day trade that is currently running from 2nd to 11th December 2024.
“We are very happy to be bringing Tess into the Renegades. The Renegades showed this year that we have a style of play that combines explosive batting and clever bowling, and Tess does both to a very high level. She is a big get for the Renegades,” said the Melbourne Renegades General Manager James Rosengarton, delighted to secure the services of the all-rounder Tess Flintoff for the Melbourne Renegades in the upcoming 11th edition of the tournament, while also citing her as a perfect fit into their brand of cricket.
The 21-year-old all-rounder Tess Flintoff made her Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) debut representing the Melbourne Stars on 19th October 2019 against the Hobart Hurricanes as a 16-year-old teenage sensation. She has scored 414 runs at a strike rate of 114.36 and in 39 innings with the bat for her side. Her tally of runs for the franchise includes one unbeaten half-century (51* off 16 balls) against the Adelaide Strikers on 2nd November 2022. She holds the record for scoring the fastest half-century in the history of the WBBL.
Apart from her contributions with the bat, she has also picked up 32 wickets at an economy of 7.52 in 55 innings with the ball for her side. Her best performance with the ball for her franchise came on 21st November 2020 against the Brisbane Heat at the Drummoyne Oval, Sydney when she returned with brilliant match-figures of 3-0-13-3 in her spell.
Flintoff scored 59 runs in 7 innings with the bat for the Melbourne Stars in the recently concluded 10th edition of the tournament and she picked up three wickets in seven innings with the ball.
“It’s a great opportunity to join the Renegades after their success last season. They’ve got a strong squad and a lot of talented players, and I’m looking forward to contributing in any way I can,” remarked an elated Tess Flintoff on joining the Melbourne Renegades for the next season and starting a new chapter in her WBBL career.
(Quotes sourced from cricket.com.au)
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