Sophie Molineux re-signs, Lizelle Lee makes the switch to Melbourne Renegades for WBBL06

22-year-old Molinuex has been part of Renegades sides since the WBBL’s inception and was the Renegades’ player of the season during the WBBL04. She is the second-highest run-getter for the side with 1078 runs from 62 matches and she is also the third in the list of wicket-takers having taken 46 wickets for the Renegades.

Molinuex, who was part of the Australia’s T20 World Cup winning squad in 2020, said she felt it has always been a privilege to be part of the club and she is looking forward to new challenges. “I truly appreciate the opportunity to remain at the Renegades for another two seasons. It has been a special privilege to be a part of the club since the beginning of the WBBL. In that time, it’s been a huge highlight to have formed some really incredible friendships with many people across the club,” she said.

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“It feels as though every year the competition reaches a new standard and so it’s another exciting challenge for us this season. I’m very much looking forward to it.”

Lee, who has represented South Africa in 74 T20Is, is the second-highest run-getter for Melbourne Stars having scored 1100 runs for the side from 40 matches in the WBBL. “I’m thrilled to be heading back to the WBBL and joining a new team will provide some extra motivation,” she said.

“The Renegades have done well recently and hopefully I can make a positive impact. I’ve had the pleasure of playing against a lot of these players in the WBBL and internationally, but it’ll be nice to be on the same team this time.”

Lachlan Stevens, head coach of the side, welcomed the two internationals to the Renegades side and said their presence will help the young players in the squad.

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“Both players bring great experience from the international stage and we have seen what they can produce at WBBL level. Sophie has got the skill and talent to impact games with bat and ball and Lizelle can be one of the hardest hitters in the game,” Stevens said.

The two big names aside, Renegades have also retained the group of Carly Leeson, Courtney Neale and Makinley Blows with 16-year-old Ella Hayward receiving her first contract.

Leeson, allrounder who plays for ACT in the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL), has played 11 matches for the Renegades. Neale and Blows are yet to make their appearance for the side in the WBBL having been part of the side during the last season.

Hayward, a batting allrounder, was the third-highest run-getter and the second most wicket taker for Victoria during the Under-18 National Championships with 233 runs and 17 wickets.