MI head coach Lisa Keightley gives update on Hayley Matthews

WPL 2026: Why did Hayley Matthews miss Mumbai Indians' season opener? Head coach Lisa Keightley answers

Top 3 overseas batters to watch out for in WPL 2026

<p>The <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/t20/wipl-womens-indian-premier-league/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026</strong></a> started with a thrilling contest on Friday in Navi Mumbai, and excitement is already so high among the fans. Over the years, the marquee league has grown into a highly competitive tournament, featuring a strong mix of Indian stars, uncapped talents, and world-class overseas players.&nbsp;</p>
<p>While bowlers play a crucial role, franchises often rely heavily on their overseas batters to provide stability, firepower, and match-winning performances at the top and middle order. As the new season beckons, CricTracker has analysed three such overseas batters who will grab plenty of eyeballs in the cash-rich event.</p>
<h2>Here are the top 3 overseas batters to watch out for in WPL 2026</h2>
<h3>3. Laura Wolvaardt (Delhi Capitals)</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1768030280574_FotoJet---2026-01-10T130043.jpeg" alt="Laura Wolvaardt" width="960" height="600" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Laura Wolvaardt (Source : Delhi Capitals via X)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>South African batter <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/laura-wolvaardt/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Laura Wolvaardt</strong></a> is undoubtedly one of the most elegant and technically sound players in women’s cricket today. Having previously represented Gujarat Giants Women for three seasons, Wolvaardt scored 342 runs in 13 matches. While her WPL numbers may not fully reflect her true potential, her international form has been outstanding. In T20 Internationals, she has amassed 2,225 runs in 85 matches and has been a consistent performer for the Proteas.</p>
<p>Wolvaardt was in sublime form during the recent Women’s World Cup, where South Africa finished runners-up after losing the final to India. Picked up by Delhi Capitals Women in the mega auction, she is expected to play a key role at the top of the order and deliver big scores in WPL 2026.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>Beth Mooney (Gujarat Giants)</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1741059200382_Beth-Mooney.jpeg" alt="Beth Mooney." width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Beth Mooney. (Photo Source - BCCI)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Australian wicketkeeper-batter <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/beth-mooney/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Beth Mooney</strong></a> is another overseas star to keep an eye on this season. Representing Gujarat Giants Women, Mooney has been a reliable contributor, scoring 522 runs in 18 WPL matches so far. She comes into WPL 2026 in red-hot form after an exceptional Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) campaign, where she finished as the leading run-scorer with 549 runs for Perth Scorchers.</p>
<p>She is known for her consistency, ability to anchor innings and will be keen to convert her domestic dominance into match-winning performances on Indian pitches.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>Hayley Matthews (Mumbai Indians)</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1741927782680_Hayley-Matthews.jpeg" alt="Hayley Matthews." width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Hayley Matthews. (Photo Source - WPL)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>West Indies all-rounder <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/hayley-matthews/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hayley Matthews</strong></a> completes the list of overseas batters to watch. A key member of Mumbai Indians Women, Matthews has scored 758 runs in 29 WPL matches across the last three seasons. Retained ahead of the WPL 2026 auction, the franchise has shown strong faith in her explosive batting ability.</p>
<div class="ct-read-more ct-box mceNonEditable" data-label-text="Also Read" id="6961f1b4ea37c2893631664e" data-fantasy-id="" data-msg="Also Read: cricket-news/wpl-2026-why-did-hayley-matthews-miss-mumbai-indians-season-opener-head-coach-lisa-keightley-answers"></div>
<p>While her off-spin bowling is well-suited to Indian conditions, it is her aggressive batting at the top that makes her invaluable. Matthews’ ability to score quickly and boost the run rate could once again prove decisive for Mumbai Indians Women.</p>

<p>The <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/t20/wipl-womens-indian-premier-league/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026</strong></a> started with a thrilling contest on Friday in Navi Mumbai, and excitement is already so high among the fans. Over the years, the marquee league has grown into a highly competitive tournament, featuring a strong mix of Indian stars, uncapped talents, and world-class overseas players.&nbsp;</p>
<p>While bowlers play a crucial role, franchises often rely heavily on their overseas batters to provide stability, firepower, and match-winning performances at the top and middle order. As the new season beckons, CricTracker has analysed three such overseas batters who will grab plenty of eyeballs in the cash-rich event.</p>
<h2>Here are the top 3 overseas batters to watch out for in WPL 2026</h2>
<h3>3. Laura Wolvaardt (Delhi Capitals)</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1768030280574_FotoJet---2026-01-10T130043.jpeg" alt="Laura Wolvaardt" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Laura Wolvaardt (Source : Delhi Capitals via X)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>South African batter <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/laura-wolvaardt/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Laura Wolvaardt</strong></a> is undoubtedly one of the most elegant and technically sound players in women’s cricket today. Having previously represented Gujarat Giants Women for three seasons, Wolvaardt scored 342 runs in 13 matches. While her WPL numbers may not fully reflect her true potential, her international form has been outstanding. In T20 Internationals, she has amassed 2,225 runs in 85 matches and has been a consistent performer for the Proteas.</p>
<p>Wolvaardt was in sublime form during the recent Women’s World Cup, where South Africa finished runners-up after losing the final to India. Picked up by Delhi Capitals Women in the mega auction, she is expected to play a key role at the top of the order and deliver big scores in WPL 2026.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>Beth Mooney (Gujarat Giants)</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1741059200382_Beth-Mooney.jpeg" alt="Beth Mooney." loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Beth Mooney. (Photo Source - BCCI)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Australian wicketkeeper-batter <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/beth-mooney/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Beth Mooney</strong></a> is another overseas star to keep an eye on this season. Representing Gujarat Giants Women, Mooney has been a reliable contributor, scoring 522 runs in 18 WPL matches so far. She comes into WPL 2026 in red-hot form after an exceptional Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) campaign, where she finished as the leading run-scorer with 549 runs for Perth Scorchers.</p>
<p>She is known for her consistency, ability to anchor innings and will be keen to convert her domestic dominance into match-winning performances on Indian pitches.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>Hayley Matthews (Mumbai Indians)</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1741927782680_Hayley-Matthews.jpeg" alt="Hayley Matthews." loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Hayley Matthews. (Photo Source - WPL)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>West Indies all-rounder <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/hayley-matthews/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hayley Matthews</strong></a> completes the list of overseas batters to watch. A key member of Mumbai Indians Women, Matthews has scored 758 runs in 29 WPL matches across the last three seasons. Retained ahead of the WPL 2026 auction, the franchise has shown strong faith in her explosive batting ability.</p>
<div class="ct-read-more ct-box mceNonEditable" data-label-text="Also Read" id="6961f1b4ea37c2893631664e" data-fantasy-id="" data-msg="Also Read: cricket-news/wpl-2026-why-did-hayley-matthews-miss-mumbai-indians-season-opener-head-coach-lisa-keightley-answers"></div>
<p>While her off-spin bowling is well-suited to Indian conditions, it is her aggressive batting at the top that makes her invaluable. Matthews’ ability to score quickly and boost the run rate could once again prove decisive for Mumbai Indians Women.</p>

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 started with a thrilling contest on Friday in Navi Mumbai, and excitement is already so high among the fans. Over the years, the marquee league has grown into a h

Let us take a look at the top three overseas batters to watch out for in WPL 2026.

Check out the top 3 overseas batters to watch out for in WPL 2026, featuring impactful international talents expected to shine this season, only on CricTracker