Wyatt-Hodge, Smith to return for 'Canes title defence

Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Linsey Smith will return to the Hobart Hurricanes in Weber WBBL|12 with the club locking in two key pieces of their title defence.

The English pair are the first two overseas signings to be revealed by the Hurricanes, who last month confirmed superstar England captain Natalie Sciver-Brunt would not be returning this season following an injury-hampered home summer.

Wyatt-Hodge was a standout as the Hurricanes claimed their first title last season, finishing as the club's leading run scorer and third in the league overall, with 432 runs at an average of 48 and a strike rate of 144.

The 35-year-old opener produced four half-centuries was rewarded with selection in the WBBL|11 Team of the Tournament before being crowned the Hurricanes’ player of the year.

This will be Wyatt-Hodge's third season in purple, while left-arm spinner Smith has joined the club for a second season.

"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 in a statement.

"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 took 15 wickets in WBBL|11, finishing second only to Heather Graham among Hobart’s wicket-takers.

Her 2-8 in the final helped restricted the Scorchers to 5-137, setting the stage for Hobart's famous win.

"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," Smith said.

"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 Hurricanes now have 11 players locked in for the upcoming season, with four spots, including a maximum of one overseas slot, left to fill.

Alongside the question of how to fill the hole left by Sciver-Brunt's absence, the club is also on the lookout for a new captain following the retirement of Elyse Villani.

Options could include Rachel Trenaman, who is set to captain Australia A in a four-day game against India A later this month, while experienced allrounder Heather Graham also has elite-level captaincy experience.

"We're in the middle of (that process) now – we've got a couple of couple of options, so we're just working through that at the moment," Hurricanes coach Jude Coleman told cricket.com.au.

"For me, the question that I've asked a few of our players is, 'What do you want the Hurricanes to be known as under your leadership?'

"For me, it's that off-field piece is a huge part of it. We've got plenty of people who can do the job on field, but it's how we can bring a group together off field that's the added part that you don't probably see in a leadership space on the TV."

Coleman said she understood Sciver-Brunt's decision not to return and while the club would look to recruit a third overseas player, the England star's absence – and Villani's retirement – could also open the door for Trenaman to play a greater role with the bat.

"She's a superstar with the bat, but hasn't had a lot of T20 opportunity over the last few years, so it means we can give her a real crack in in the Hurricanes lineup," Coleman said.

Coach: Jude Coleman

 

List spots filled: 11

 

Contracted for WBBL|12: Nicola Carey, Heather Graham, Ella Hayward, Lizelle Lee, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Amy Smith, Linsey Smith (England), Molly Strano, Rachel Trenaman, Callie Wilson, Danni Wyatt-Hodge (England)

 

Outs: Elyse Villani (retired) Natalie Sciver-Brunt (England) 

 

Uncontracted: Ruth Johnston, Isabella Malgioglio, Lauren Smith