WBBL: Jonathan Batty, the coach of the inaugural women’s Hundred champions Oval Invincibles, has been named the new coach of the Melbourne Stars for the 2018 WBBL season.
Batty, who spent nearly two decades playing county cricket for Surrey, Gloucestershire, and Northamptonshire, guided Oval Invincibles to the Hundred title last season.
In three seasons, the former. wicketkeeper-batsman will be the Stars’ third WBBL coach. Batty succeeds Jarrad Loughman, who was only in charge of the Stars for one season but is still Victoria’s women’s coach in the WNCL. Trent Woodhill, who guided the Stars to their first WBBL final in 2020-21, when they were defeated by Sydney Thunder, was replaced by Loughnan.
Batty brings a lot of expertise teaching women’s cricket in England with her to Melbourne. He is currently the coach of both the Invincibles and Surrey Women, and in 2020, he led the South-East Stars to the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. He’s also worked with England’s Under 17s and women’s wicketkeeper.
“I can’t wait to get started,” Batty said. “I’ve been watching the competition from afar for a few years and it’s been a sector-leading tournament for women’s cricket around the world.” “Being a member of a team like the Melbourne Stars and working with such a brilliant roster led by some outstanding world-class players was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I’m excited to work with Meg Lanning, an exceptional captain, and I’m looking forward to coming to Melbourne.”
After coming sixth last season, Stars General Manager Blair Crouch was optimistic that Batty could lead them back to the championships.
“Every season, our goal is to play in the finals, and we’re hoping Jonathan can make the most of our exceptional skill,” Crouch said.
“We conducted a global search to find our next Head Coach, and Jonathan stood out among a very good field,” Crouch added.
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