The Hobart Hurricanes have strengthened their title-defence plans by re-signing experienced off-spinner Lauren Smith and versatile all-rounder Ruth Johnston for the 12th edition of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), scheduled from 29 October to 5 December 2026. The pair will remain part of a squad after Hobart secured its maiden WBBL title by defeating Sophie Devine’s Perth Scorchers by eight wickets in the 2025 final at Hobart.
The Hurricanes’ championship campaign was built on consistency. They finished top of the WBBL 11 league-stage table with 15 points from 10 matches, recording seven wins, two defeats and one washout before completing their memorable run on home soil. As preparations begin for WBBL 12, the retention of Smith and Johnston gives the defending champions further depth, experience and flexibility.
Lauren Smith will enter her third season in purple after joining Hobart ahead of WBBL 10, following nine seasons in Sydney. The 29-year-old played all 11 matches during the Hurricanes’ title-winning campaign and was a crucial component of their disciplined bowling attack. The off-spinner claimed seven wickets in WBBL 11 and excelled at controlling the scoring rate. Her economy rate of 6.4 runs per over was the best among Hurricanes bowlers and the third-best in the competition. Her return adds experience and variety to a bowling group that has retained much of its core from last season’s successful campaign.
“I have absolutely loved my time with the Hurricanes since I’ve come down,” Smith said. “I was having a long, hard think if I wanted to explore other places, but our coaching staff down here and the club and the people and the organisation is really hard to say no to.” Smith also highlighted the influence of bowling coach Kristen Beams and the depth within Hobart’s spin department. “We have lots of depth within our squad with spin definitely, and I think that’s going to work for us this season and hopefully, we can get that trophy again,” she said.
Smith’s long-term WBBL record underlines the value of her retention. Across 146 matches, she has taken 89 wickets at an average of 23.88 and an economy rate of 6.88, including one four-wicket haul and one five-wicket haul. She has also contributed 333 runs at an average of 13.87 in 50 innings.
Ruth Johnston, meanwhile, remains an exciting and adaptable member of the Hurricanes squad. The 23-year-old Queenslander made her WBBL debut for Hobart as a teenager and has already featured in 42 matches. Her ability to contribute with both bat and ball gives the coaching staff another option across different match situations. Although Johnston did not play as prominent a role during the Hurricanes’ title-winning season, she remained prepared and involved throughout the campaign.
“While not having played as much of a role last year, still being involved and making myself ready for whatever comes, I think it’s pretty exciting to be involved in the success,” she said.
Johnston has scored 386 runs at a strike rate of 100.78 and an average of 12.45 in 34 innings, including one half-century. With the ball, she has taken 18 wickets at an average of 21.83 and an economy rate of 6.47 in 23 innings, including a four-wicket haul. “I feel like I can be quite flexible with whatever role that’s handed my way,” Johnston said. “I’ve had experience in opening and in the middle order, but I’m just happy to be out there and hitting the ball hard and doing my thing.”
With Smith’s control and Johnston’s versatility complementing a settled core, the Hurricanes are assembling the ingredients required for another sustained challenge. Their WBBL 12 campaign will begin with the pressure of defending a first championship, but also with the confidence of a group that has already proved it can deliver on the biggest stage.
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Source: femalecricket.com
