The Melbourne Renegades have expanded their team by recruiting experienced batter Naomi Stalenberg, who has joined the club on a two-year contract after spending four seasons with the Hobart Hurricanes. Stalenberg, at the age of 30, brings a wealth of experience to the Renegades’ batting lineup, having participated in 122 games in the WBBL throughout her career.
Stalenberg’s transfer to Melbourne is expected to provide a significant boost. With a career total of 1,443 runs in the WBBL, including a remarkable top score of 55, Stalenberg’s performance in WBBL|09 was impressive, scoring 162 runs from eight innings, with a standout 54 off 29 balls against the Perth Scorchers.
Renegades’ manager, James Rosengerten, expressed excitement about Stalenberg’s inclusion, highlighting her capacity to maintain a high run rate and a bold approach during crucial game moments. “Naomi has shown her ability to handle pressure situations while always keeping the scoreboard moving,” mentioned Rosengerten.
Stalenberg, formerly with the Sydney Thunder and the Hurricanes, has a history of success in local cricket. Her career commenced in the 2013/14 season with New South Wales in the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL), where she also played with the Sydney Thunder in the inaugural WBBL season in 2015. Stalenberg’s 2015–16 WBBL season was particularly notable for her aggressive scoring, accumulating 160 runs at an incredible strike rate of 150.94.
During the 2019/20 WNCL season, Stalenberg achieved her personal best with 255 runs in nine matches, but her time with New South Wales concluded after that season. Stalenberg embraced new challenges with the Hurricanes and Tasmania’s Women’s National Cricket League team, contributing to Tasmania’s successful hat-trick.
The Renegades have been proactive in their recruitment campaign, involving Stalenberg in a sequence of acquisitions aimed at rejuvenating the squad. Alongside Stalenberg, the Renegades have secured Hayley Matthews, who has returned to the team as an international pre-selection, and the Melbourne Stars pair Milly Illingworth and Nicole Faltum. As the Renegades gear up for the 10th edition of the WBBL, commencing with a match against the Sixers at Adelaide Oval on October 27.
With Stalenberg’s arrival and a revamped squad, the Renegades are poised to mount a strong challenge for the final and potentially contend for the championship in the upcoming season.
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