Defending champions Melbourne Renegades have made the decision to take a cautious approach with their captain Sophie Molineux, who will miss the start of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 11 due to a minor quad strain.
Given the demanding workload Molineux endured during Australia’s recent ODI World Cup campaign, the Renegades’ medical team and coaching staff have opted to prioritize her long-term fitness over playing in the early games of the season. She has had a history of serious injuries in recent years, including significant knee and foot issues, and only made her return this year after knee surgery in January.
At 27 years old, Molineux is a vital player for the Renegades, having been the club’s leading wicket taker last season with 16 wickets in seven matches, while also contributing valuable 140 runs at the high strike rate of 155. Despite missing part of last season’s WBBL due to knee soreness, she came back in time to lead her team to their maiden WBBL title.
Coach Simon Helmot emphasized that the decision to hold her back early in the campaign is about the bigger picture and ensuring she is fully fit for the challenging season ahead.
In Molineux’s absence, leg spinner Georgia Wareham, the vice-captain, will step up to captain the reigning champions for the first two matches. Wareham, a great leader with a strong cricketing intellect, has been a key part of the leadership group for several years.
Helmot added “Wareham’s been part of our leadership group for the past three years and she’s a natural leader within the squad and has a great cricket brain, she’ll do an excellent job guiding the teams as we kick off our campaign.”
Georgia Wareham will also receive support from experienced international players including West Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin as well as Nicole Faltum, who brings significant leadership experience from her domestic cricket career as she previously captained Australia A, Melbourne Stars and Victoria in Women’s National Cricket League.
The Renegades begin their title defence against Brisbane Heat at Allan Border Field on November 9. Their first home game of the season will take place at Junction Oval. The club plans to review Molineux’s condition following the third game against Sydney Thunder, hoping for her quick and full recovery.
This early season precaution reflects the Renegades’ commitment to protecting their key player’s health to maximize her impact in what promises to be a competitive and demanding WBBL season. Despite missing Molineux, the team remains confident and energized, ready to pursue back-to-back titles with strong leadership and talented depth within their squad.
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