Hobart Hurricanes will have two important members of their maiden Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) championship side back in purple for WBBL 12, with England pair Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Linsey Smith returning to Tasmania. Both played key roles in the breakthrough title last season and will bring international experience to the team again. Their return gives Hobart two players who know the group and their roles. The Hurricanes can count on them as they prepare for WBBL 12.
Wyatt-Hodge had an outstanding second season in purple and finished as the third-highest run-scorer in the competition. The opener scored 432 runs at an average of 48 and made four half-centuries. Her performances earned her a place in the WBBL 11 Team of the Tournament, before she was named the Hurricanes’ WBBL Player of the Year. She also made a strong start by scoring a career-best WBBL 90 from 52 deliveries against Sydney Thunder in the season opener. Her batting was important to Hobart’s title-winning campaign.
Wyatt-Hodge said she was happy with her first season in Hobart and wanted to return after the championship. “I absolutely loved being part of the Hurricanes last season and obviously to finish it by winning the title made it incredibly special,” Wyatt-Hodge said. “We had such a good group and I loved the way we played our cricket. There was a lot of belief within the squad and we had a lot of fun along the way, so I’m really excited to get back to Hobart and be part of it again.
“Last season was probably some of the most enjoyable cricket I’ve played. Hopefully I can come back, contribute at the top of the order again and help us have another successful season.”
Smith will also return after a strong first season with the Hurricanes. The England left-arm spinner took 15 wickets, finishing second only to Heather Graham among Hobart’s wicket-takers. She was important in the final against Perth Scorchers, where she finished with figures of 2-8. Her spell helped restrict the Scorchers to 5-137 before the Hurricanes completed their historic title victory. Smith’s contribution gave Hobart a useful option during its championship campaign.
Smith also spoke positively about her first year with the Hurricanes and her plans to return. “I had such a brilliant time in Hobart last year and to win the competition in my first season with the Hurricanes was pretty special,” Smith said. “It was a really enjoyable group to be part of and I felt like I was able to settle into my role quite quickly and contribute to the team. “I’m really looking forward to getting back to Tassie. We know every season presents a different challenge, but hopefully we can build on what we achieved last year and give ourselves another opportunity to be in the hunt.”
The return of Wyatt-Hodge and Smith gives the defending champions more continuity ahead of WBBL 12. Wyatt-Hodge returns after scoring 432 runs and four half-centuries, while Smith comes back after taking 15 wickets in her first season with Hobart. Their contributions were important during the title run, including Wyatt-Hodge’s 90 against Sydney Thunder and Smith’s 2-8 in the final. Both will now have an opportunity to contribute for the Hurricanes.
Six members of last season’s title-winning squad have recently committed to the Hurricanes for the next two seasons. Wyatt-Hodge and Smith add continuity as Hobart prepares for WBBL 12. Both players know the team environment and have experienced the success of winning the competition together. Their return means two more members of the Hurricanes’ maiden championship side will be back in Tasmania as the club moves into WBBL 12.
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