THE ninth Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) season us almost upon us, with the competition set to kick off next week.

In the lead up to the opening day, Rookie Me Central will countdown by previewing each of the teams set to be contesting the tournament this season.

As we approach the halfway point of this preview series, it is time to look at the first of the Melbourne teams, the Renegades.

It is safe to say things went far from to plan for those in red in WBBL08. With six losses in their first seven matches, it was always going to be a steep hike from there, and ultimately the Renegades finished in the penultimate position from the bottom of the ladder.

But, with a few experienced additions into the line up, the goal will be to ensure that does not happen again in WBBL09.

There are two new faces in the Renegades line-up this season.

The first one is not technically a new face, but a returning one as Jess Duffin is coming back to the Renegades after a season away. The second inclusion is Tammy Beaumont, with the Englishwoman going to provide plenty of batting power at the top of the order.

These two replace Shabnim Ismail, who went to the Hurricanes, and Carly Leeson, who did not get a contract this season. Although, the team is likely to be missing skipper Sophie Molineux for at least the first few weeks, with Molineux still recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

However, any Renegades fan who has been watching the international series between Australia and the West Indies will be excited by the form Hayley Matthews is in at the moment. There is a little but of an injury cloud surrounding her at the moment, but hopefully for the Renegades that will all be in the past by the time the WBBL starts.

Melbourne Renegades WBBL09 Squad

Tammy Beaumont, Sarah Coyte, Josie Dooley, Jess Duffin, Ellie Falconer, Ella Hayward, Harmanpreet Kaur, Erica Kershaw, Hayley Matthews, Sophie Molineux, Rhiann O’Donnell, Georgia Prestwidge, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham, Courtney Webb