Hayley Matthews to miss WBBL 11 due to injury

Melbourne

Star all-rounder Hayley Matthews will miss the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) Season 11 due to a shoulder injury, Melbourne Renegades confirmed on Thursday.

Matthews, the world’s top-ranked T20I all-rounder, suffered the injury during West Indies’ recent ODI series. Though she was preparing for her fourth WBBL season with the Renegades, her plans are now on hold. She is expected to undergo shoulder surgery later this year.

Despite the injury, Matthews will continue her national duties, including leading the West Indies and playing for Barbados Royals in the Caribbean Premier League before her surgery.

The Renegades had pre-signed Matthews ahead of Thursday’s WBBL Overseas Player Draft. Her absence means the club now has all three international slots available to fill.

Renegades General Manager James Rosengarten expressed disappointment. “Hayley has been instrumental to our success with her performances, leadership, and professionalism,” he said. “There’s a close bond between Hayley and the club, and we look forward to having her back next year.”

Matthews’ absence is a major setback for the Renegades after she played a key role in their title-winning run last season. She helped the team bounce back from a last-place finish in WBBL 9 to win their first championship at the MCG in WBBL 10.

Her WBBL 10 performance was outstanding, with 324 runs at a strike rate of 130.6 and 14 wickets. She was also named in the WBBL 10 Team of the Tournament.