The Sophie Molineux-led Melbourne Renegades secured the hosting rights of the final of the landmark 10th edition of the Women’s Big Bash League after topping the league table. While a spirited Brisbane Heat bunch led by Jess Jonassen with an identical success rate in the league stages of the competition missed out on the opportunity, finishing 2nd, courtesy of their net-run rate, and advanced to the Final with a thumping win in the Challenger.
Hayley Matthews’ 50 leads the way as the Renegades post a competitive total
Brisbane Heat got off to a good start after skipper Jess Jonassen won the toss and opted to field at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), pushing the home side on the back-foot at 23/3 at the start of the 5th over. Georgia Wareham joined opening batter Hayley Matthews at the crease and the duo bailed their side out of trouble with a much-needed 41-run partnership for the 4th wicket. Grace Parsons picked up the wicket of Georgia Wareham (21 off 21 balls) to provide the 4th breakthrough for the Brisbane Heat.
Naomi Stalenberg joined Hayley Matthews at the crease and the duo stitched another crucial 45-run partnership for the 5th wicket to take their side closer to the 100-run mark. Grace Parsons returned and picked up the wicket of Naomi Stalenberg (16 off 12 balls) to provide the 5th breakthrough for her side. The Melbourne Renegades eventually ended up with a total of 141/9 in their quota of overs. Hayley Matthews (69 off 61 balls) stood out with the bat for the home side, contributing for around 49% of the team’s total. Charli Knott (4-0-28-3), Grace Parsons (4-0-29-2), and Lucy Hamilton (4-0-19-1) played a crucial role with the ball for the Brisbane Heat.
Jess Jonassen fights a lone battle for the Brisbane Heat in a rail-curtailed chase
Chasing a tricky total of 142, Brisbane Heat got off to a disappointing start as they lost a couple of wickets for just 15 runs in the 3rd over of the run chase. The visitors were 19/2 in 3.2 overs when the rains arrived, and the run chase was eventually reduced to 12 overs per side and the target was revised to 98. After the resumption from the rain break, Brisbane Heat suffered a mini collapse as they lost their next three wickets for just 26 runs.
Lauren Winfield-Hill joined skipper Jess Jonassen (44* off 28 balls) at the crease and the pair stitched a much-needed 31-run partnership for the 6th wicket to take their side past the 50-run mark. Deandra Dottin picked up the wicket of Lauren Winfield-Hill to provide the 6th breakthrough for the Melbourne Renegades. The Brisbane Heat were eventually restricted to 90/6 in their quota of overs, falling 7 runs short of the target. Skipper Jess Jonassen accounted for around 49% of the team’s total for the Brisbane Heat. Hayley Matthews (3-0-24-2), skipper Sophie Molineux (3-0-22-1), and Milly Illingworth (2-0-13-1) were the star performers with the ball for the Melbourne Renegades.
Hayley Matthews was awarded the Player of the Match for her sensational all-round show, scoring a vital half-century (69 off 61 balls) and returning with match figures of 3-0-24-2. She played a pivotal role in helping the Melbourne Renegades clinch their maiden title in the Women’s Bash League (WBBL).
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