Elyse Villani swaps Melbourne Stars for Hobart Hurricanes

The Australia international has also been appointed captain of Hobart Hurricanes, replacing Rachel Priest

Opening batter Elyse Villani will join the Hobart Hurricanes for the upcoming season of the WBBL, ending her three-season association with Melbourne Stars.

Villani has signed a two-year deal with the Hurricanes and has also been appoitned captain, replacing Rachel Priest.

The 32-year-old enjoyed a superb season in WBBL07, scoring 439 runs - the fourth-most in the competition - at an average of 43.9 and strike rate of 122.8. She was one of just five players to score a century across the tournament, blitzing 100 not out from just 65 balls against Adelaide Strikers.

The right-hander has 99 WBBL games under her belt, scoring 2,849 runs at 32.74 for Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars. She is the fourth-highest run-scorer in WBBL history.

Villani will already be familiar with large swathes of the Hurricanes squad, having captained the Tasmanian Tigers in her first season with them last year. While this experience in playing 50-over cricket may bring some familiarity to her new role, Villani said her decision to move was not an easy one.

^{Villani (right) also captains Tasmanian Tigers [Steve Bell/Getty Images]}

"Leaving my home state and essentially fully closing the door on that chapter of my life was truly a difficult decision to make, I have former so many wonderful memories and friendships that will last a lifetime and have enjoyed every moment representing the Stars and playing with some amazing people," Villani said.

"However, the timing was right for me on a personal level – I love living in Tasmania and I’m really excited to commit fully to my new home and represent the Hurricanes with pride.

"I thoroughly enjoyed leading a lot of these players last season in the WNCL and to be given the opportunity to do the same in purple is a huge honour – I believe we have the squad and coaching staff required to compete for the trophy and have a lot of fun along the way.

"Sall [Hurricanes Coach Salliann Briggs] and I share a strong connection in what we are striving for as a group and how we think we can get there and working together over both formats along with quite a few of the girls will only strengthen that connection and drive."

Alongside the incoming Villani, Nicola Carey, Maisy Gibson, Heather Graham, Ruth Johnston, Amy Smith, Molly Strano and Rachel Trenaman are contracted to the Hurricanes for WBBL08.

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