Hurricanes eye history despite missing key players

For the first time in women's Big Bash history, Hobart Hurricanes are entering a WBBL campaign as defending champions.

Last year's final was a fairytale finish for former captain Elyse Villani, who announced her retirement in the aftermath of a famous victory for the Tasmanian club.

Ten months on, head coach Jude Coleman is preparing her chargers for another Big Bash, but even she admits feeling a little strange heading into a new season without a stalwart of the side.

"It's definitely different and you know she's someone that you're always going to miss," Coleman said to cricket.com.au.

"She's that kind of personality that you can't help but miss, but it's just given other people an opportunity to step up into leadership roles."

One of those individuals is Hobart's new skipper, Nicola Carey.

After months of speculation surrounding who will take the reins from Villani, the Australia star has been given the nod ahead of experienced allrounder Heather Graham.

But while Carey will be captain, Coleman insists the management of the side does not rest solely on the 33-year-old.

"The conversations I've had is definitely that they're a leadership team," Coleman said.

"I've just had to put the 'C' next to someone's name, but I see them as definitely a leadership team."

While Coleman has been able to keep the core of her championship-winning roster together, the Hurricanes are missing significant contributors from their run to a maiden WBBL title.

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt ruled out a return to the Big Bash in August, opting for family time over the Australian summer.

The squad have also lost their leading run-scorer from last season in Danni Wyatt-Hodge.

The England international was the Hurricanes' most consistent batter in WBBL|11, compiling 432 runs at an average of 48 with four half-centuries.

She's been replaced in the side by Sri Lanka international Chamari Athapaththu, who will form one part of the team's new opening combination alongside power-hitter Lizelle Lee.

Having smashed a record-breaking 150 not out against Perth Scorchers in the season prior, Lee's unbeaten 77 in the final proved pivotal in her team's success during the biggest game of the year.

The wicketkeeper-batter returns to a squad that's managed to secure England spinner Linsey Smith, who was the team's second-highest wicket-taker last year with 15.

West Indian allrounder Chinelle Henry is a new addition to Coleman's list, adding valuable middle-order firepower.

Victorian off-spinner Ella Hayward has also made the move to the Apple Isle for WBBL|12, with competition for spots among spinners at a premium given just how many options the Hurricanes have.

Despite the changes, Coleman has been able to keep 11 players from last year's roster ahead of a new season.

It's a sign of continuity that she believes is integral to their quest to claim back-to-back Big Bash titles.

"That was one of our goals early on in the season was to try and keep the core group together," Coleman said.

"We're a real family club down at the Hobart Hurricanes and I think that came across last year even on TV. We're a real club who want to make everyone feel welcome and that includes extended family who come and travel with us.

"It was so important for us to keep the squad together and the heart and soul of the Hobart Hurricanes together for as long as possible."

WBBL|12 club previews

Strikers | Renegades| Heat | Sixers | Thunder | Stars

Last season

Result: Champions, defeated Perth Scorchers in the Final

 

Most runs: Danni Wyatt-Hodge (432 at 48, SR of 144)

 

Most wickets: Heather Graham (16 at 18.43, econ 7.76)

WBBL|12 squad

Chamari Athapaththu, Nicola Carey, Heather Graham, Ella Hayward, Chinelle Henry, Ruth Johnston, Lizelle Lee, Kate Pelle, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Amy Smith, Lauren Smith, Linsey Smith, Molly Strano, Rachel Trenaman, Callie Wilson

 

In: Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka), Ella Hayward (Stars), Chinelle Henry (West Indies), Kate Pelle

 

Out: Elyse Villani (retired), Natalie Sciver-Brunt (England), Kathryn Bryce (Scotland), Danni Wyatt-Hodge (England)

 

Internationals: Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka), Chinelle Henry (West Indies), Linsey Smith (England)

 

Head coach: Jude Coleman

Season schedule

Possible best XI

Lizelle Lee (wk), Chamari Athapaththu, Nicola Carey (c), Heather Graham, Chinelle Henry, Rachel Trenaman, Ruth Johnston, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Molly Strano, Lauren Smith, Linsey Smith

Overseas recruits

Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka): The 36-year-old is set to play for her fourth WBBL club following stints at Melbourne Renegades, Perth Scorchers and Sydney Thunder. Athapaththu provides the Hurricanes with another opening batter option and she's a handy right-arm off-spinner, having taken 29 wickets in the past three seasons.

Chinelle Henry (West Indies): The West Indian made her Big Bash debut in WBBL|11 for Brisbane Heat, playing nine games for the club in their winless campaign. Now the big-hitting Jamaican has signed with the defending champions as she eyes better returns in her second WBBL season.

Linsey Smith (England): Following her 15-wicket tournament last year, England spinner Smith is back with the Hurricanes' squad. The 31-year-old is one of a number of frontline spinners on Coleman's roster. 

Player availability

All of the club's overseas recruits are available for the entire tournament including finals.

Inside word with Hurricanes head coach Jude Coleman

Life without Elyse Villani

As a mainstay of their lineup since 2022, Coleman knows Villani is going to be a hard player to replace in WBBL|12.

Not only has the title-winning skipper scored 992 runs for the team since becoming a Hobart player, but it's her "cricket brain" that Coleman said the side will miss.

"She played a different role for us last year," Coleman said.

"She had never played that role, but the one thing about 'Junior' (Villani) is she's the ultimate professional. She did everything she could to prepare herself for that role, and then you just miss that experience and that knowledge of the game.

"I think everyone above her could be so much more relaxed and play with so much more freedom because they knew that someone with the cricket brain like she has, and the skill that she has, would come and ice the game for us.

"That's probably what you miss is just that skill to play whatever role was needed."

The "world-class player" Coleman plans to showcase

Rachel Trenaman, 25, played 10 matches in Hobart's WBBL|11 campaign, including the historic final against the Scorchers.

Despite being a regular in the side, she struggled for opportunities among a stacked Hurricanes top order.

This year could be different for the right-handed batter, with Coleman planning to showcase Trenaman as one of the team's best.

"She's (Trenaman) I think, a world-class player," Coleman said.

"(She) hasn't had a lot of T20 exposure through injury, but with Elyse out of the squad this year, it just gives an opportunity for her.

"We'll look to use Rach in a more I guess important position at some point."

Signing Chinelle Henry

Big Bash fans saw a glimpse of what Henry is capable of during her time at the Heat.

A constant threat with bat and ball, Coleman is confident she'll thrive in Hobart's environment having already defined a role for her new recruit.

"With Elyse out of the squad we felt like we needed a bit more power in that middle-order," Coleman said.

"That's the role that we signed Chinelle for. She obviously gives you that added aspect with the ball as well, but we'll see her playing more of a power role for us in the middle."

Replicating the dream season

The Hurricanes lost just two of 11 matches on their way to securing a WBBL trophy.

It was a run that Coleman admits went pretty much to plan, leading her to think a path to glory in 2026 may not be quite so simple.

"It was like I've never had a season that went so smoothly," Coleman said.

"Everything that we planned happened. We had no injuries. You never get those seasons, so we've spoken a lot this year about being adaptable and expecting some little bumps in the road that we didn't get last year."