Melbourne Renegades retain Hayley Matthews, Harmanpreet Kaur at WBBL Draft

Melbourne Renegades have retained two of the cricketing world's best players at the WBBL Overseas Draft. This move sees the formidable duo of Hayley Matthews and Harmanpreet Kaur return to the Renegades. 

Hayley Matthews, West Indies' skipper, was a prime choice for the Renegades, securing Pick 3 in the draft. On the other hand, Harmanpreet Kaur, India's captain, joined the squad with Pick 10.

Renegades made a convincing bid for New Zealand's Sophie Devine with Pick 2, but the Perth Scorchers used their retention pick to keep Devine on their side. 

Both Matthews and Kaur have been designated as Platinum picks, signifying their exceptional skill and experience. Coach Simon Helmot expressed his delight at securing these two stars, emphasising the importance of their experience in T20 cricket.

"It was a tough decision – do we go Harmanpreet at pick three, or do we go Hayley, fortunately, it worked out for us that Harmanpreet was still available in the second round, so we could still get her as a Platinum pick," Helmot said as quoted by melbournerenegades.com.au

Matthews, who previously played for the Hobart Hurricanes, had an impressive debut campaign with the Renegades last season. She showcased her prowess with bat and ball and even captained the side during Sophie Molineux's absence. Her achievements also extend to being the Player of the Tournament in the inaugural Women's IPL.

Meanwhile, Harmanpreet Kaur returns to the Renegades and the WBBL after missing the previous season due to injury. Her exceptional performance in WBBL 7, where she was the leading run-scorer and wicket-taker for the Renegades, makes her a valuable asset to the team. 

Melbourne Renegades will kick off their WBBL 9 campaign on October 20, facing Brisbane Heat at the Junction Oval. With Matthews and Kaur in their lineup, Renegades are poised for an exciting and competitive season ahead.