Photo Credit: Hobart Hurricanes
The Hobart Hurricanes have bolstered their firepower at the top of the order, securing the services of opening batter Elyse Villani, who swaps green for purple after a three-year stint with the Melbourne Stars.
Joining the Hurricanes and assuming the role of Captain, Villani inks a two-year deal off the back of a stellar WBBL|07 campaign.
She was the tournament’s fourth leading run scorer – with 439 runs, at an average of 43.9 and a strike rate of 122.8.
The dynamic right-hander blitzed one of the campaign’s most memorable innings with a stunning 100* against the Adelaide Strikers.
Over her 99-game WBBL career with the Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars, Villani has amassed a mammoth 2849 runs, sitting fourth best in league history at an average of 32.74.
An excellent ball-striker, Villani can mix patience with devastating power, and brings invaluable leadership and experience to the Hurricanes lineup – many of whom she is now familiar with after her inaugural season with the Tasmanian Tigers.
Villani admits that the decision to play both her domestic and franchise cricket in the same state, whilst exciting, was not an easy one.
“Leaving my home state and essentially fully closing the door on that chapter of my life was a truly difficult decision to make, I have formed so many wonderful memories and friendships that will last a lifetime and have enjoyed every moment representing the Stars and playing with some amazing people,” Villani said.
“However, the timing was right for me on a personal level – I love living in Tasmania and I’m really excited to commit fully to my new home and represent the Hurricanes with pride.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed leading a lot of these players last season in the WNCL and to be given the opportunity to do the same in purple is a huge honour – I believe we have the squad and coaching staff required to compete for the trophy and have a lot of fun along the way.”
“Sall and I share a strong connection in what we are striving for as a group and how we think we can get there and working together over both formats along with quite a few of the girls will only strengthen that connection and drive.”
Villani joins Nicola Carey, Maisy Gibson, Heather Graham, Ruth Johnston Amy Smith, Molly Strano and Rachel Trenaman as players currently contracted to the Hurricanes for WBBL|08.
