Hayley Matthews Returns to Melbourne Renegades for WBBL Season

West Indies captain Hayley Matthews has returned to the Melbourne Renegades for the upcoming Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) season, signing a one-year deal as a pre-draft signing. Matthews' return comes after a disappointing debut season with the Renegades, where she struggled to replicate her impressive performances for the West Indies.

Despite finishing as the Renegades' joint-leading wicket-taker with 14 scalps, Matthews managed only 255 runs at an average of 19.61 and a strike rate of 114.34. The Renegades endured a forgettable campaign, finishing bottom of the table with just two wins.

However, the Renegades are hopeful that Matthews' return, along with the availability of Sophie Molineux after injury and the potential addition of Tayla Vlaeminck, will boost their prospects for the 2024-25 season.

"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 said.

Matthews is the fourth overseas player to be signed ahead of the WBBL draft, joining Amelia Kerr (Sydney Sixers), Nadine de Klerk (Brisbane Heat), and Marizanne Kapp (Melbourne Stars).

Meanwhile, in domestic moves, the two Sydney clubs have bolstered their pace attacks. Courtney Sippel has signed a three-year deal with the Sixers after moving from the Heat, while Taneale Peschel has joined the Thunder from the Perth Scorchers.

Peschel, who was talked out of retirement by Thunder coach Lisa Keightley, is excited about the opportunity to play under her former Western Australia and Scorchers coach.

"At the Scorchers, I've been given…every opportunity, but I felt like I'd been stagnant for the last season or two," Peschel said. "I always play the safe card and I've always stayed in WA and thought, okay, I'm still getting opportunity, I'll stay here. I think just this year, something clicked."

"I thought, I've got to try something else. I've got to stop playing a safe card. Who knows what something like a change to another team can offer my career."

Tags: #WBBL, #MelbourneRenegades, #HayleyMatthews, #SophieMolineux, #TaylaVlaeminck