The tenth edition of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) concluded with the Melbourne Renegades’ maiden title triumph, while the Brisbane Heat fell short once again. Below, we revisit the most electrifying moments that defined this remarkable season.
Top 5 moments from 2024 WBBL:
1. Lizelle Lee’s Record-Breaking Blitz
Lizelle Lee etched her name into the WBBL history books with an extraordinary knock of 150 not out off just 75 balls against the Perth Scorchers at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Smashing her way to a 51-ball century, Lee’s innings accounted for a staggering 73% of the Hurricanes’ total. Her sensational performance included a world-record 12 sixes, obliterating the previous high of 136 not out set by Grace Harris. Lee’s breathtaking feat also ranks as the fifth-highest score in all women’s T20 cricket and the highest in a full-member nation.
2. Lucy Hamilton’s Magical Five-Wicket Haul
Brisbane Heat’s teenage sensation Lucy Hamilton made headlines by becoming the youngest player in WBBL history to claim a five-wicket haul. Skipping her schoolies’ celebrations, Hamilton delivered a spellbinding performance with figures of 5 for 8 against the Melbourne Stars. Her heroics dismantled the Stars for 138, paving the way for a crucial six-wicket victory. Hamilton’s figures are now tied as the second-best in the competition’s decade-long history — a moment that will be cherished for years to come.
3. Caoimhe Bray’s Historic Debut
At just 15 years old, Caoimhe Bray became the youngest player to take the field in WBBL history, debuting for the Sydney Sixers. Presented her cap by the iconic Ellyse Perry at the Adelaide Oval, Bray turned her debut into a fairytale performance. She dismissed Deandra Dottin, one of the league’s most feared hitters, and later sealed the Sixers’ victory in style. With 32 runs needed off 20 balls, Bray walked out to bat and smashed her second ball for four. Her calmness under pressure culminated in a stunning lofted drive over extra cover, clinching the win and announcing her arrival in grand fashion.
4. A Super Over Spectacle
Drama unfolded in Match 34 when the Perth Scorchers faced the Sydney Sixers in a nerve-racking encounter. Ashleigh Gardner’s four-wicket haul had the Scorchers bowled out for 126, but the Sixers fell agonizingly short, ending the chase in a tie. In the super over, the Sixers posted 15 runs without losing a wicket. The Scorchers, chasing 16, managed only 15 for 1. It resulted in a rare and thrilling super over tie, with both teams sharing the points in a match for the ages.
5. Ellyse Perry’s Stunning Reflex Catch
Even in defeat, Ellyse Perry’s brilliance shone through during the Sydney Sixers’ clash against the Adelaide Strikers at North Sydney Oval. On the fourth ball of the sixth over, Laura Wolvaardt unleashed a powerful straight drive. But Perry, showcasing exceptional reflexes, plucked a jaw-dropping return catch off her own bowling. Though the Sixers fell short by 11 runs, Perry’s moment of magic became a highlight of the season, epitomizing her class and athleticism.
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