In a crushing blow to Melbourne Renegades ahead of the WBBL draft, Hayley Matthews is set to miss the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League due to injury. The West Indies captain is set to undergo the surgery for the shoulder injury that she sustained while fielding during the first ODI against England. Meanwhile, she will fulfil her national commitments, including leading West Indies in the T20I series against South Africa and playing for her Barbados Royals in the Caribbean Premier League, before her surgery later this year.
Matthews had been pre-signed by the Renegades ahead of the WBBL Overseas Player Draft and was set to play her fourth season for the Renegades, but her absence for the rest of the season was announced just hours before the draft.
"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,” Renegades general manager James Rosengarten said in a statement released by the franchise.
"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."
Renegades will now have three overseas slots to fill at the WBBL draft on Thursday.