Melbourne Renegades’ title defense for this year’s WBBL has taken a major hit back, as West Indies captain and world‑number‑one T20I all‑rounder Hayley Matthews has been ruled out of the tournament after opting for shoulder surgery following an injury sustained during the recent ODI series against England. Hayley’s ruling came hours before the WBBL Draft.
One of the key players of last year’s championship, Matthew, had signed on as the club’s pre-draft recruit, penning a fresh two-year deal. However, the world’s top-ranked T20I allrounder will miss the entire season due to shoulder surgery. The injury occurred in the West Indies’ recent ODI tour of England.
Despite this injury, Matthews will continue to captain her home team, West Indies in their home soil T20 series against South Africa as well as play for the Caribbean Premier League. Afterward, she’ll undergo surgery and will be sidelined for the remainder of 2025, as the West Indies are not participating in this year’s ODI World Cup.
Matthews’ withdrawal frees up a valuable overseas slot for the Renegades. The club will now have all three of their overseas slots to be filled at the overseas spots at the Draft in Melbourne.
Renegades General Manager James Rosengarten stated, “We are clearly disappointed Hayley won’t be with us this season. She’s been instrumental during her time with the Renegades, not just with her performances but with her leadership and professionalism. There’s a very close relationship between the Renegades and Hayley and we know it will continue next year and beyond. Hayley loves this club and we share in her disappointment at not being available for this year’s tournament.”
Matthew played pivotal role in the Renegades remarkable rise of the club, helping the team bounce back from a bottom-placed finish in WBBL|09 to win their maiden title at the MCG. Matthew also had an exceptional career playing the WBBL. She produced her career best campaign in WBBL| 10, scoring 324 runs at a strike rate of 130.6 and picking up 14 wickets, a haul that earned selection in the WBBL| 10 Team of the Tournament. In the last play by the team, she scored a crucial 69 from 61 deliveries before snaring 2-24 to claim player-of-the-match honours in the Renegades’ seven-run win over the Brisbane Heat in the decider.
Now, the Renegades will have picks No.7, No.15, No.18 and No.31 in the WBBL draft. The club is also expected to reveal more local signings in the coming days. The Renegades captain is attending the draft alongside coach Simon Helmot, though her re-signing has not been officially confirmed.
Star players Aussie trio of Sophie Molineux, Georgia Wareham and Tayla Vlaeminck are among those whose contracts were set to expire at the end of WBBL|10. Rising all‑rounder Tess Flintoff has been added (from Melbourne Stars); Ella Hayward and Georgia Prestwidge have switched to cross-town rivals.
Hayley Matthews’ absence is a big blow, but the Renegades still have flexibility and opportunity to fill the Draft spots. With smart strategy and good recruitment, the defending champions can pivot and remain competitive.
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