The Melbourne Renegades have bolstered their pace attack, securing the re-signings of Tayla Vlaeminck and Sara Kennedy.
Renegades Lock In Pace Pair Vlaeminck and Kennedy
Vlaeminck has committed to the club for a further two seasons, while Kennedy has signed a one-year deal as the Renegades continue to build their WBBL|12 squad alongside international stars Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin.
For Vlaeminck, the extension marks another chapter in a journey defined by resilience.
One of the fastest bowlers in world cricket, Vlaeminck has endured a frustrating run of injuries throughout her career, including a shoulder injury that sidelined her for an extended period. She last played a WBBL match for the Hobart Hurricanes in 2021 before a series of setbacks halted her progress.
Now back on the field and representing Australia A, Vlaeminck has shown encouraging signs in her return to competitive cricket. During the current tour of India, she has featured in two T20s and one one-day match, including a standout return of 3-24 from three overs.
Now pushing towards a full return to the WBBL, Vlaeminck said re-signing with the Renegades was an easy decision.
"I didn't really think twice about it, to be honest. The club's been amazing to me the last couple of years," Vlaeminck said.
"Not playing can be quite hard at times, but it's just been a place where I actually enjoyed going to watch the games and being around the girls.
"What Soph (Molineux) and Wolf (Georgia Wareham) and Helmo (Simon Helmot) have created over the last couple of years is one of the best environments I've been a part of, so it was definitely a no-brainer to re-sign.
"I'm just excited. Whether I've been enjoying cricket, not enjoying cricket, whatever period of rehab and stuff I've been at, going and watching the Big Bash and sitting around the 'Gades girls always made me want to get out there."
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Kennedy also returns for WBBL|12 after continuing her development with Tasmania in domestic cricket.
The left-arm quick made her WBBL debut as a replacement player during WBBL|09, featuring in 11 matches and impressing throughout her first season in red. She added a further appearance in WBBL|11 and will now look to cement her place in the Renegades' bowling attack this season.
The pair already share a strong connection, with Vlaeminck presenting Kennedy with her Renegades cap ahead of her WBBL debut in 2023. Now, the fast-bowling duo have both recommitted to the club as part of the Renegades' plans for WBBL|12.
The pair add further depth to a squad beginning to take shape under new coach Gavan Twining, with overseas stars Matthews and Dottin already locked in for the upcoming campaign.
Melbourne Renegades Squad
Coach: Gavan Twining (new)
List spots filled: 10
Contracted for WBBL|12: Deandra Dottin (West Indies), Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Milly Illingworth, Sara Kennedy, Hayley Matthews (West Indies), Sophie Molineux, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham, Courtney Webb
Out: Alice Capsey (Sixers), Charis Bekker
Uncontracted: Sarah Coyte, Emma de Broughe, Naomi Stalenberg