WBBL-winning Melbourne Renegades coach Simon Helmot has become the latest key figure in Aussie cricket to leave his role after ending his five-year reign at the T20 side. Helmot took over the head coaching job at the Renegades in 2021 but is leaving to undertake a new opportunity, with the full blessing of the Melbourne franchise.
Helmot is currently working in India as an assistant under head coach Daniel Vettori at the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, where men’s Test skipper Pat Cummins is also captain. But Helmot and the Renegades have decided to part ways just 18 months after he guided the women’s team to their inaugural WBBL title.
WBBL-winning coach Simon Helmot (R) has left the Melbourne Renegades, meaning key roles need to be filled at three separate Aussie cricket franchises now. Pic: Getty
“Simon has been an extraordinary Renegades person for a long time, and someone who has given so much to our club,” Renegades General Manager James Rosengarten said in a statement. “He’s not only delivered success on the field but has had a profound impact on the people and the environment around him.
“The way he connects with players, staff and fans and the care he brings to his work has left a lasting mark on our program and the broader Victorian cricket community. He leaves with our full support as he takes on an exciting new opportunity, and we’re incredibly proud to see him continue his journey. He will always be a valued part of the Renegades family.”
Helmot took over at the Renegades in 2021 and had an instant impact after guided the Melbourne side to a second-placed finish in his first season in charge. The highlight of his five-year tenure at the Renegades came in 2024 though, when Helmot and Sophie Molineux led them to the first WBBL trophy in the franchise’s history, beating the Brisbane Heat in the final.
Melbourne Renegades captain Sophie Molineux and coach Simon Helmot helped the Aussie franchise win their inaugural WBBL title in 2024. Pic: Getty
Three Aussie T20 sides now looking for a new head coach
But Helmot’s departure means three Australian T20 franchises are now looking for new head coaches, with the Sixers and Thunder men’s sides yet to fill their respective vacancies. Long-time NSW mentor Greg Shipperd was controversially axed from his role recently, despite guiding the Sixers to this year’s BBL final and winning the One-Day Cup with the Blues.
While the Thunder parted ways with coach Trevor Bayliss after five years in charge of the men’s T20 side. Cricket NSW recently appointed former Australia Test star Brad Haddin to take over the Blues’ One-Day Cup and Sheffield Shield sides from Shipperd, but he won’t lead the Sixers or Thunder in the BBL.
Former Australian women’s coach Matthew Mott and white-ball allrounder James Hopes have been heavily linked with the Sixers job. While Aussie great Shane Watson and former T20 specialist Dan Christian are among the frontrunners for the Thunder role.