English pair Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Linsey Smith are returning to the Hobart Hurricanes, giving the WBBL champions two of the biggest names from their breakthrough title run.
Wyatt-Hodge was the third-highest run-scorer in the competition last season with 432 runs at an average of 48.
The opener hit four half-centuries, earned a place in the WBBL|11 Team of the Tournament and was named the Hurricanes’ Player of the Year.
She set the tone early with a career-best WBBL score of 90 from 52 balls against Sydney Thunder in the season opener.
“I absolutely loved being part of the Hurricanes last season and obviously to finish it by winning the title made it incredibly special,” Wyatt-Hodge said.
“We had such a good group and I loved the way we played our cricket.”
“There was a lot of belief within the squad and we had a lot of fun along the way, so I’m really excited to get back to Hobart and be part of it again.”
Smith took 15 wickets in her first season with the club, second only to Heather Graham among Hobart’s bowlers.
The left-arm spinner delivered when it counted most, taking 2-8 in the final to help restrict Perth Scorchers to 5-137.
“I had such a brilliant time in Hobart last year and to win the competition in my first season with the Hurricanes was pretty special,” Smith said.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back to Tassie. We know every season presents a different challenge, but hopefully we can build on what we achieved last year and give ourselves another opportunity to be in the hunt.”
Their return follows six members of the title-winning squad signing on for the next two seasons.
Molly Strano, Nicola Carey, Graham, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Rachel Trenaman and Lizelle Lee are all locked in through to 2028.
Head coach Jude Coleman said keeping the group together was the club’s goal from the start.
“It’s a massive win, they definitely were in demand but they also just love playing together,” Coleman said.
The Hurricanes begin their title defence against the Melbourne Stars on October 29.
