Hobart sign Windies allrounder to complete overseas trio

Hobart Hurricanes have boosted their all-round firepower for Weber WBBL|12 by luring West Indies star Chinelle Henry away from the Brisbane Heat.

Henry, who will add versatility to the Hurricanes' pace attack while providing a powerful middle-to-lower order option with the bat, will feature for her second Big Bash club after debuting in the league in teal last summer.

She rounds out Hobart's overseas contingent for WBBL|12, joining English pair Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Linsey Smith. England captain Natalie Sciver-Brunt had already confirmed she would not return for this season, prioritising her recovery after an injury-plagued home summer.

Speaking to reporters this week from the Windies' ongoing tour of Zimbabwe, Henry said she had attracted attention from multiple clubs but was ultimately won over by Hobart. 

"It was just about trying to join a team that's actually basically a family, and it's about more than winning and what actually transpires off the field as much as on it," Henry said.

"I think having conversations with a few people that I've played with before - I've played with Lizelle (Lee), I just played The Hundred with Nic Carey ... it was just more about choosing a team that fits me as a person.

"I'm quite flexible in terms of what role (I play), and whatever role that is that they need me to play, I'm quite ready to do that.

"It's pretty big shoes to fill (joining the reigning champions) but with most of the girls returning to the squad ... it's just trying to fit in as quickly as possible, adapting to the style of the team and how I fit into that to help in whatever way I can to defend the title."

Henry, who has played 78 T20Is for the Windies, showed her quality with the bat during the recent T20 World Cup in England, hammering an unbeaten 51 off 30 balls at Lord's against the hosts.

Henry is one of three West Indies signed on for WBBL|12, alongside Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin (both Renegades).

The 31-year-old said she hoped to see that number grow in future seasons. 

"Getting the opportunity to play franchise cricket, that has allowed my game to grow a bit more," she said.

"Playing with some of the best players from different teams around the world, it helps you grow your game personally and you can take that knowledge back to the players here in the Caribbean.

"Those are conversations that we continuously have in the West Indies setup, that we would like to have a few more girls going out experiencing franchise cricket, gaining a lot more experience."

The Hurricanes have just one spot left to fill on their list for their title defence, with clubs required to leave a place open until after next month's T20 Spring Challenge. 

They have maintained a stable list from the group that lifted the trophy last summer, with Sciver-Brunt and retired captain Elyse Villain their only confirmed departures, while rising spin-bowling allrounder Ella Hayward has joined from the Renegades. 

Wyatt-Hodge will once again be joined by Lizelle Lee at the top of the order, followed by a solid batting group of Nicola Carey, Heather Graham, Rachel Trenaman, Ruth Johnston, Henry and Hayward. 

Henry will also strengthen a pace unit led by Carey, Graham and Hayley Silver-Holmes, while Hobart have all bases covered in the spin attack, with left-armer Linsey Smith joined by off-spinners Hayward, Molly Strano and Lauren Smith, and leg-spinner Amy Smith.

"We were quite deliberate in what we wanted from our third international spot and Chinelle fits that profile really well," Cricket Tasmania general manager of high performance Salliann Beams said.

"We wanted someone who could provide genuine power with the bat while also giving us another bowling option, and Chinelle has shown she can impact games in both areas.

"She now has experience in the Big Bash and has played a lot of cricket around the world, so we think she adds another really valuable dimension to our squad."

Coach: Jude Coleman

 

List spots filled: 14

 

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

 

Ins: Ella Hayward, Chinelle Henry (Heat)

 

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

 

Uncontracted: Isabella Malgioglio