Melbourne Renegades Appoint Gavan Twining as New WBBL Head Coach

Melbourne Renegades have named Gavan Twining as the new women’s team head coach ahead of the 2023-24 WBBL season. Twining, who is the assistant coach of the Australian women’s cricket team, will coach the Renegades following Australia’s international schedules in October against Bangladesh and New Zealand.

Twining arrives at the Renegades with international experience under his belt as well as a very close understanding of several players in the squad. His role with the Australian women’s team has seen him work closely with Renegades captain Sophie Molineux. Twining is due to return to national duties after the WBBL season.

Twining will take the reins of the team full-time when he oversees a side under development in the T20 Spring Challenge, taking place just ahead of Renegades high performance manager Clint McKay. Twining takes over from Simon Helmot, who had resigned as the head coach during the off-season in order to pursue different opportunities in franchise cricket.

So the appointment was received warmly by Renegades general manager Max Abbott – who spoke earlier this week about how Twining’s familiarity with the group could serve him well in his new role. His background with Australia’s most successful World Cup campaigns offered the type of continuity the club believes will allow them to continue evolving their team based on a foundation that exists.

“I am delighted to be joining a talented group of players at Renegades and how I can assist the players to take their games to the next level”. He is also looking to pass on his experiences from the Australian team environment into WBBL structure.

It is the time of change for Renegades, and this appointment comes during that phase. Cricket Australia continues to control the setup as discussions for how Big Bash competitions will be structured and possibly even privatised continue, with the club preparing to operate on a temporary model for the 2026-27 season until long-term arrangements are made.

Cricket Victoria has also cut its ties to the Renegades set-up, with plans for one side of its operation and a sale of its second BBL licence. Although the sale process is mired in uncertainty, Twining’s appointment gives the Renegades a definite plan of attack before the new WBBL season.