Melbourne Renegades Appoint Gavan Twining as WBBL Head Coach

The Melbourne Renegades have brought in Gavan Twining as their new WBBL head coach ahead of the 2026-27 season, who is currently an assistant coach for the Australia women’s team Twining joins the Renegades from a broader coaching role through Australia’s October series against Bangladesh and New Zealand.

Twining will fulfill his role with the Australian women’s team, before eventually linking up with the Renegades for their WBBL campaign. He is likely to come back as national coach after the domestic tournament completes. The presence of an established international captain and teammate in the shape of Renegades skipper Sophie Molineux, an Australia colleague, might help to smooth things in terms of continuity in a squad.

With Twining installed, the Renegades opted against renewing Simon Helmot’s contract after finalising the appointment of their coach during the off-season. The Englishman brings with him the international experience and exposure from Australia’s recent World Cup campaign that the club believes is a good fit for this position.

Renegades general manager Max Abbott hailed the appointment as a ‘great fit’, pointing to Twining’s World Cup-winning experience and ability to work with the team’s established leadership group. It is hoped his arrival can build on the potentially positive atmosphere already there in the squad.

Twining said he was excited about the opportunity, and will call on his experience with the Australian team to help Renegades players hit peak form during the WBBL season.

Due to ongoing discussions relating to the ownership and operating model of the Big Bash League, Cricket Australia will continue to oversee how the Renegades operate for the 2026-27 campaign while a temporary structure is in place.

Cricket Victoria plans to sell its second BBL licence and go back to operating one men’s team but the sale of one of their clubs is likely as when. SQUADS: Luke Ronchi to coach Renegades BBL side

Now, in what will come as news to Twining, the Melbourne Renegades enter WBBL22 with a fresh voice at the helm of their women’s team and hopes of taking another step forward.