Helmot returns as Renegades shake up coaching roster

The Melbourne Renegades have filled one of their two coaching vacancies ahead of the 2021-22 season with inaugural Big Bash coach, Simon Helmot, named the new boss of their WBBL side.

Helmot led the Renegades' men's side for four years from BBL|01 to BBL|04 before taking up several roles abroad, including high performance boss of Bangladesh Cricket as well as assistant roles in the IPL, CPL and BPL.

Having returned to the Renegades last season as an assistant for both the men's and women's teams, Helmot has taken the senior role of the women's side in place of Lachlan Stevens, who resigned in March for family reasons.

The Renegades are still on the hunt for a new head coach of their men's side after Michael Klinger's departure to take up a role with Cricket NSW.

Former Renegades coaches Andrew McDonald and David Saker have both been linked to the role, as have former players Cameron White and Brad Hodge.

Both the Renegades men's and women's teams failed to make the finals last summer.

"It was a great experience returning to the Renegades last season and, in my first year in the WBBL, I was really impressed by the talent across the competition," Helmot said.

"It was a tough season for us in terms of results, but winning three of our last five games highlights the resilience and character of the group, so I'm really excited to be working with them again and seeing what we can build over the next couple of seasons."

In addition to the vacant Renegades role in the BBL, the Sydney Thunder are also chasing a new head coach following the departure last week of Kiwi Shane Bond.

The Melbourne Stars, who made the WBBL final this year, have also not locked in a head coach for the coming season after Trent Woodhill signed a one-year deal last year.