West Indies Captain Hayley Matthews Ruled Out of WBBL Season Due to Shoulder Injury

Hayley Matthews, the star all-rounder and captain of the West Indies cricket team, will miss the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) season due to a shoulder injury sustained during the ODI series against England. Despite the injury, Matthews has continued to fulfill her national duties, including playing in the ODI and T20I series against South Africa, before planning to undergo shoulder surgery later in the year after participating in the Caribbean Premier League. Matthews was a key player for the Melbourne Renegades, contributing significantly to their maiden WBBL title last season as the leading run-scorer and a top wicket-taker, earning Player of the Match in the final. The Renegades expressed deep disappointment over her unavailability for the season but affirmed a strong ongoing relationship with Matthews, who remains committed to the club. Her absence opens three overseas player slots for the Renegades in the WBBL draft as they seek replacements for the defending champions. Matthews' surgery and recovery mark a significant setback for both the Renegades and West Indies cricket.