Former Australian batting mainstay Rachael Haynes has been appointed as the head coach of the Gujarat Giants for the first inaugural season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL 2023).
Haynes was a mainstay of the Australian cricket team in all three formats. Born on December 26, 1986, Haynes made her international debut in 2009 and quickly became one of the most reliable batters of a dominant Australian team.
Haynes was known for her adaptability, having batted everywhere in the Top 8 in Women’s ODIs and Women’s T20Is, though she was known primarily for opening in Women’s ODIs and batting in the middle order in Women’s T20Is. A multiple-World Cup winner, Haynes also led Australia during the 2017-18 Ashes.
A veteran of 6 Women’s Tests, 77 Women’s ODIs, and 84 Women’s T20Is, Haynes amassed 3,818 runs in international cricket over a 10-year career. While she did not bowl a lot in international cricket, she managed to take 13 international wickets with her left-arm pace.
Earlier Gujarat Giants hired former India captain Mithali Raj as their mentor and advisor. Additionally, the team’s bowling coach will be former India spinner Nooshin Al Khadeer, with all-rounder Tushar Arothe their batting coach and Gavan Twining the team’s fielding coach.
Gujarat Giants Mentor Mithali Raj said in a statement, “The likes of Rachael Haynes, Nooshin Al Khadeer, Tushar Arothe, and Gavan Twining will certainly take the performance of the team notches up. Not only have they carved a niche for themselves in their roles, but their stories of resilience will be an inspiration for the team.”
This will be one of the first major assignments Haynes takes on post her retirement from international cricket.
The WPL 2023 auction will take place on February 13, with the league to be played from March 4, 2023, to March 26, 2023. The league will consist of 22 matches held at Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium and DY Patil Stadium.
