Gavan Twining named Melbourne Renegades WBBL head coach after World Cup run
Synopsis
The reigning WBBL champions Melbourne Renegades have handed their coaching reins to Gavan Twining, the man who helped Australia lift the Women's T20 World Cup in England. It is a rare dual-track arrangement — Twining coaches the Renegades through the WBBL season, then returns to national duty, reflecting how Cricket Australia is blurring the line between franchise and international coaching pipelines.
Key Takeaways
Melbourne Renegades appointed Gavan Twining as WBBL head coach on 14 August .
Twining replaces Simon Helmot , who stepped down in April to pursue overseas franchise opportunities.
Twining played a key role in Australia's Women's T20 World Cup win in England in 2025.
He previously assisted Greg Shipperd at Sydney Sixers across six BBL seasons , winning back-to-back titles in seasons nine and ten.
Clint McKay will handle pre-season duties including the Spring Challenge until Twining arrives; the Renegades open on 29 October .
Twining will return to the Australian women's team after the WBBL season ends.
Melbourne Renegades, the reigning Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) champions, have appointed Gavan Twining — assistant coach of the Australian women's national team — as their new head coach, the club confirmed on Friday, 14 August. The move brings World Cup-winning coaching experience directly into the WBBL's title-defending camp.
Why Twining Was Chosen
Twining has been part of the Australian women's setup since late 2024, playing an instrumental role in the side's Women's T20 World Cup triumph in England earlier this year. His appointment follows the departure of championship-winning coach Simon Helmot, who stepped down in April to pursue overseas franchise coaching opportunities.
Before joining the national set-up, Twining served as assistant to former Sydney Sixers head coach Greg Shipperd across six BBL seasons, a stint that included consecutive title wins in seasons nine and ten. His track record across both domestic and international cricket made him the club's preferred choice.
Key Players He Will Work With
At the Renegades, Twining will reunite with several high-profile Australian internationals, notably national skipper Sophie Molineux and leg-spin bowling all-rounder Georgia Wareham. He is set to join the Renegades camp in Melbourne after Australia's upcoming series against Bangladesh and New Zealand.
What Twining Said
'I'm really excited to be joining the Melbourne Renegades and getting to work with this playing group. The Renegades have a strong foundation and a talented squad, and I'm looking forward to helping the players take the next step and build on the success the club has had,' Twining said.
He added: 'Having been part of the Australian team's World Cup campaign, I'm excited to bring those experiences into the Renegades environment and help produce performances that our members and fans can be proud of.'
Club's Transition Plan
Renegades General Manager Max Abbott welcomed the appointment, describing Twining as 'an outstanding addition to our WBBL program, bringing World Cup winning experience to our group.' Abbott confirmed that while Twining fulfils his remaining Australian commitments, Clint McKay will oversee preparation for the Spring Challenge as interim coach, ensuring the squad is ready for the opening game on 29 October.
Notably, Twining's role is structured as a dual-track arrangement — at the end of the WBBL season, he will rejoin the Australian women's team for their future international commitments, underlining Cricket Australia's collaborative approach to coach deployment across formats.
Point of View
Not star credentials, is the stronger predictor of back-to-back franchise success. Helmot's departure for overseas leagues also quietly underscores how competitive the global women's franchise market has become — a trend Indian and Australian boards cannot afford to ignore.
NationPress
14 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Gavan Twining and why was he appointed Melbourne Renegades head coach?
Gavan Twining is the assistant coach of the Australian women's national cricket team, credited with helping Australia win the Women's T20 World Cup in England in 2025. The Melbourne Renegades appointed him to replace Simon Helmot, who left in April, bringing his World Cup-winning coaching experience into the WBBL title defence.
Why did Simon Helmot leave the Melbourne Renegades?
Simon Helmot stepped down as Renegades head coach in April to pursue overseas coaching opportunities in various franchise leagues. He had led the club to the WBBL championship before his departure.
When will Gavan Twining join the Renegades camp?
Twining will join the Renegades in Melbourne after Australia's upcoming series against Bangladesh and New Zealand. In the interim, Clint McKay will oversee pre-season preparation including the Spring Challenge, with the Renegades' opening game scheduled for 29 October.
Which Australian players will Twining coach at the Renegades?
Twining will work with several Australian internationals at the Renegades, including national captain Sophie Molineux and leg-spin bowling all-rounder Georgia Wareham, among others.
Will Twining remain with the Renegades long-term?
No. The arrangement is structured so that Twining returns to the Australian women's national team after the WBBL season concludes to fulfil future international commitments.
