In a commanding off-season maneuver, the Melbourne Stars have swooped in to secure the services of Ella Hayward and Georgia Prestwidge from their city rivals and reigning champions, the Melbourne Renegades. The signings mark a pivotal step in the Stars’ efforts to reset their campaign following a forgettable WBBL|10 where they anchored the table.
Ella Hayward, just 21, brings with her a rising star profile following an outstanding 2024-25 domestic season for Victoria in the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL). Named Victoria’s player of the season, she tallied 21 wickets at a best of 6/31 and amassed 446 runs, including a match-winning unbeaten 112.
Her standout season didn’t go unnoticed, as she earned an Australia A cap for the March series against England A where she took 4 wickets and registered scores of 4, 35 and 76. Notably, Hayward ripped through Queensland with 6-31 and followed up with an all-round masterclass against Tasmania — scoring 84 and taking 3-44.
Despite her domestic dominance, Hayward found game time hard to come by in a star-studded Renegades unit last season. She featured in only one WBBL|10 match — the Melbourne derby at the MCG — where she was thrust into the opening slot in the absence of Courtney Webb. Though she didn’t bowl, her elevation to the top order underlined the trust in her batting credentials.
T20 High Performance Manager Clint McKay shared his excitement about the youngster’s arrival at the Stars, “Ella’s emergence was hard to ignore in the back half of last season,” McKay said. “She demonstrated her true all-round qualities, taking games away from the opposition with her spin bowling and consistent batting. We’re hoping she can continue her upwards trajectory this year and she’ll be a very valuable addition to our WBBL|11 squad.”
Hayward’s off-spin is poised to blend seamlessly with the skills of left-arm spinner Sophie Day, as the Stars reconstruct a balanced attack in the wake of losing Tess Flintoff and Hasrat Gill to rival franchises. Beyond her cricketing talent, Hayward’s strong camaraderie with several Victorian teammates already in the Stars’ camp makes this a strategic fit.
Looking ahead to her fresh start, Hayward spoke with gratitude and anticipation, “I’d like to thank the Renegades for the time I spent in red, but I cannot wait to get stuck in this year with the Stars,” Hayward said. “The squad is really strong; we’ve got lots of great Victorian girls there who have played a lot of cricket together now and hopefully I can continue to improve personally and in turn help the side in WBBL|11.”
Joining Hayward in the green is Georgia Prestwidge, a pace-bowling allrounder whose career has spanned across Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Renegades. With 76 WBBL appearances to her name and 40 wickets — including a best of 4/12 — Prestwidge adds muscle and experience to the Stars’ pace battery. While her WBBL|10 campaign saw her underutilized, featuring in six games without bowling, she remained a valuable squad member during the Renegades’ title-winning run.
Prestwidge also enjoyed a steady WNCL season for Victoria, capturing 11 wickets from 12 matches, including a best of 3/35. With proven credentials and a hunger for more responsibility, she now finds herself in a setup built for resurgence.
Clint McKay, once again, underlined the value of the acquisition, “Georgia rounds out our fast-bowling attack and will compliment Sutherland, Garth and Kapp,” McKay said. “Her experience will be invaluable, her batting can be powerful and dynamic, she’s a wonderful fielder and will add some energy to the group both on and off the field.”
Prestwidge, fresh off a championship-winning campaign, is already eyeing another title — this time with the Stars, “I had a wonderful time at the Renegades and last year’s title was a highlight of my career,” Prestwidge said. “I’m keen to experience that again and the Stars have the capability to go deep into the tournament. Hopefully I can start the season well and be playing some good cricket coming into the WBBL so we can hit the ground running.”
These double signings are emblematic of the new direction the Stars are charting under recently appointed head coach Andy Christie. Christie, who spent four years as an assistant at the Renegades, steps into the top job after the Stars parted ways with English coach Jonathan Batty following three underwhelming seasons. With Christie’s tactical nous and familiarity with his new signings, the Stars will be gunning for only their second finals appearance in the competition’s history, the last one being in WBBL|06.
With Hayward’s rising trajectory and Prestwidge’s seasoned presence, the Stars are shaping up to be far more than just rebuilders — they’re potential disruptors. As WBBL|11 draws closer, expect this green brigade to carry a renewed sense of identity, energy, and ambition.
(Quotes sourced from cricket.com.au)
