'Injured' Hayley Matthews set to play through pain in CPL, but ruled out of WBBL

In a major blow to their Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) title defense, the Melbourne Renegades lost their biggest star, Hayley Matthews, just hours before the player draft. Hayley Matthews, who played a vital role in helping the Melbourne Renegades lift the WBBL trophy last season, was all set to return as a pre-draft signing on a fresh two-year deal.

However, the world’s No. 1 ranked T20I all-rounder has been forced to pull out of the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League 2025 season due to a shoulder injury. The West Indies Women's captain picked up the shoulder injury during the recent ODI series against England.

Hayley Matthews ruled out just hours before the Women’s Big Bash League Draft

Now, Matthews will have to undergo surgery. The operation will rule the star all-rounder out for the rest of the year, ending her hopes of returning to Australia for the upcoming WBBL season. However, Matthews will lead the West Indies in their upcoming home T20I series against South Africa and take part in the upcoming Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL).

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However, with the West Indies not participating in this year’s ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, she has decided to undergo surgery after the home season wraps up and withdraw from the Australian T20 league. It was a big jolt for the Renegades fans and team management.

She was expected to take up one of the overseas player slots in the WBBL Draft. Now, with her withdrawal, the Melbourne Renegades will go into the draft with all three overseas spots open and rethink their strategy for the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League.

Melbourne Renegades express hope and disappointment over Hayley Matthews' injury

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.”

Rosengarten added, “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.”

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Hayley Matthews' WBBL title-winning heroics

Meanwhile, Hayley Matthews was a standout performer in WBBL 10, delivering her best-ever season in the league. She scored 324 runs at an impressive strike rate of 130.6 and took 14 wickets. She was also named to the Team of the Tournament.

Her biggest performance came in the final, where she led from the front with both bat and ball. Matthews scored a vital 69 off 61 balls and then picked up 2 wickets for 24 runs, helping the Melbourne Renegades to crush Brisbane Heat by seven runs in a thrilling title clash.

Her all-around brilliance won her the Player of the Match award in the final. Now, with Matthews ruled out of the upcoming season due to a shoulder injury, the Renegades will look to rebuild. They will have to pick No. 7, 15, 18, and 31 in the WBBL Draft and have three overseas spots to fill.

The club is also expected to announce more local signings soon. All eyes are on the future of Australian stars Sophie Molineux, Georgia Wareham, and Tayla Vlaeminck, whose contracts ended after WBBL 10.

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