Duffin named captain, Beams embarks on final season

Jess Duffin has been named captain of the Melbourne Renegades ahead of the upcoming Rebel Women’s Big Bash League season.

Duffin, a top order batter who has played 117 matches for Australia across all formats, takes the reins for the Renegades after Amy Satterthwaite announced her pregnancy last month.

Molly Strano and Lea Tahuhu have been promoted as vice-captains, with Satterthwaite to remain within the Renegades camp in a coaching role during her pregnancy.

"It’s an exciting time to be taking on this leadership role with the rapid improvement this group has shown over the last two seasons," Duffin said.

"I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with these players, I’m humbled the club has put its faith in me and I’m looking forward to working closely with Molly and Lea throughout the season.

WBBL|05 will be Duffin’s third season with the Renegades after spending the second edition of the tournament with the Melbourne Stars. Over her Big Bash career, she has amassed more than 700 runs at an average of 23.41.

Beyond the WBBL, 30-year-old Duffin has a decorated history as a cricketer. She was named Player of the Final in Australia’s triumphant 2012 T20 World Cup win and went on to earn the same accolade for Australia’s 50-over World Cup final win in 2013.

Duffin also plays for North Melbourne in the AFLW competition.

Meanwhile over at crosstown rivals, the Melbourne Stars, 34-year-old Kristen Beams has announced that the upcoming domestic season will be her last.

Beams will play one final season with both the Melbourne Stars and Victoria before calling time on an outstanding career that has seen her represent Australia 49 times across all formats.

"We’ve got a big season ahead and I wanted to be up front about my plans for the future," Beams said.

"The competitive fire still burns bright in me and I’m looking forward to kicking off the WNCL season this weekend and preparing for the upcoming WBBL season with the Stars."

Leg-spinner Beams has played with the Melbourne Stars since the inception of the WBBL in 2015, captaining the side for the past two seasons before it was announced Elyse Villani would take the reins for the upcoming WBBL|05 season.

Beams spent a chunk of her WBBL|04 season on the sidelines after rupturing her achilles last April, but after a lengthy rehabilitation process that made her doubt whether she’d ever play cricket again, returned in flying colours with a player-of-the-match performance.

The first ever standalone WBBL season gets underway on Friday 18 October.