Melbourne Renegades claim first WBBL title with a thrilling victory over Brisbane Heat | Cricket News

Melbourne Renegades players with the WBBL trophy. (WBBL Photo)

NEW DELHI: Melbourne Renegades achieved a remarkable turnaround, going from last place to winning their first Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) title. They secured a thrilling seven-run victory (DLS method) against the Brisbane Heat at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
West Indies all-rounder Hayley Matthews played a pivotal role in the historic final, delivering a stellar performance with both bat and ball. Her contributions proved crucial to the Renegades’ victory.
Matthews top-scored with 69 runs off 61 balls, the highest individual score in a WBBL final. She also took 2 wickets for 24 runs with her off-spin.
The Renegades, batting first, posted a total of 141/9 in their 20 overs. Matthews anchored the innings, starting cautiously before accelerating during the Power Surge, where she scored 22 runs.
Despite losing wickets regularly, Matthews formed vital partnerships with Georgia Wareham (21 off 21) and Naomi Stalenberg. These partnerships helped the Renegades reach a competitive total.

Matthews’ late surge, which included two boundaries in the final over, pushed the Renegades past 140. The Brisbane Heat’s spinners, Charli Knott (3-26), Grace Parsons (2-29), and Jess Jonassen (1-19), had contained the Renegades for much of the innings.
The Heat’s chase began poorly. Rookie spinner Charis Bekker dismissed Grace Harris for a second-ball duck, with Sarah Coyte taking a spectacular catch.
Milly Illingworth then removed Indian star Jemimah Rodrigues, leaving the Heat struggling at 19/2. Rain interrupted play, shortening the match to 12 overs and setting a revised target of 98 for the Heat.
After the resumption, the Renegades maintained the pressure. Matthews dismissed the dangerous Laura Harris, bowling her with a superb delivery, leaving the Heat at 37/5.
Heat captain Jess Jonassen remained resilient, but her teammates struggled against the disciplined Renegades bowling. The Heat faced an uphill battle.

Jonassen offered a glimmer of hope with a late flurry, scoring 16 runs off Deandra Dottin during the Power Surge over. With 30 runs needed from the last two overs, the Heat still had a chance.
Matthews bowled a tight penultimate over, conceding only 11 runs, leaving 19 runs required from the final over. The match hung in the balance.
Renegades captain Sophie Molineux, who had already taken a crucial wicket, delivered a superb final over. She conceded just five runs from the first five balls, effectively sealing the victory.
While Jonassen hit a six off the last ball, it was too late. The Renegades celebrated their historic win.
This victory signifies a remarkable transformation for the Melbourne Renegades, who finished last in the previous season.