Hobart has finalised its international contingent for WBBL|12, securing West Indian allrounder Chinelle Henry for the upcoming season.
Henry joins the defending champions after making her Big Bash debut with the Brisbane Heat last summer, adding power with the bat and another pace-bowling option to the Hurricanes squad.
The 31-year-old Jamaican will fill an important role for Hobart – a batting allrounder capable of providing power and flexibility through the order – alongside returning internationals Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Linsey Smith.
Henry played nine matches for the Heat in WBBL|11, scoring 136 runs at a strike rate of 121.43, while also providing another option with the ball.
She has continued to demonstrate her ability to change games with the bat on the international T20 circuit, including an unbeaten 35 from just 15 balls for Delhi Capitals in this year’s Women’s Premier League final.
“I’m really excited to be joining the Hurricanes and getting back to Australia for another Big Bash season,” Henry said.
“Most people would know me as that explosive athlete, who can hit a long ball but I like to see myself more than that. I’m a team player and a team person.
“With most of the girls returning to the squad… they know what it’s like to win titles. Being part of the that is just trying to fit in as quickly as possible, adapting to the style of the team and how I fit into that to help in whatever way I can to defend the title.”
“Hopefully I can bring some energy to the group, contribute with both bat and ball and help the team keep building on what they achieved last year.”
Cricket Tasmania General Manager – High Performance Salliann Beams said Henry provided the versatility the Hurricanes had been searching for with their final international signing.
“We were quite deliberate in what we wanted from our third international spot and Chinelle fits that profile really well,” Beams said.
“We wanted someone who could provide genuine power with the bat while also giving us another bowling option, and Chinelle has shown she can impact games in both areas.
“She now has experience in the Big Bash and has played a lot of cricket around the world, so we think she adds another really valuable dimension to our squad.”
Henry’s arrival will also add another touch of West Indian flavour to Hobart this summer, with her signing following that of fellow West Indies international Shai Hope for the Hurricanes’ BBL|16 campaign.
HOBART HURRICANES WBBL|12 SQUAD
Nicola Carey, Heather Graham, Ella Hayward, Chinelle Henry (O/S), Ruth Johnston, Lizelle Lee, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Amy Smith, Lauren Smith, Linsey Smith (O/S), Molly Strano, Rachel Trenaman, Callie Wilson, Danni Wyatt-Hodge (O/S)
Hobart Hurricanes Memberships and tickets are available now.