The eleventh edition of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) delivered another gripping contest as Melbourne Renegades Women secured a tense four-wicket win over Sydney Thunder Women in a high-pressure chase at Junction Oval on November 11. With this, the defending champions have secured their second consecutive win of the tournament.
The Thunder, opting to bat first, posted a competitive 148/7, built on a series of short but impactful contributions throughout the innings. Georgia Voll gave them a steady start with 26 off 25 balls, striking three boundaries, while Tahlia Wilson anchored the early phase with a run-a-ball 30, including three fours. However, the Renegades kept striking at crucial moments, preventing any major partnership from developing.
Skipper Phoebe Litchfield looked dangerous during her brief stay, scoring 12 off 11 with two crisp boundaries before falling to Georgia Wareham, who again proved her value with the ball. The middle overs saw a tidy acceleration thanks to Heather Knight’s 30 off 20, a sharp innings featuring two fours and a six at a strike rate of 150.00.
The real momentum shift came from Anika Learoyd, who hammered a rapid 31 off 21 with four boundaries and a six, lifting the Thunder towards a competitive total. Small cameos from Laura Harris (8 off 4) and Hasrat Gill (3*) nudged the score to 148/7 by the end of 20 overs.
For the Renegades, Georgia Wareham led the attack with an excellent spell of 2/25 in 4 overs, mixing drift and control beautifully. Deandra Dottin also struck twice, finishing with 2/34, while Alice Capsey chipped in with 1/15 to keep the Thunder from breaking free in the death overs.
Chasing 149, the Renegades endured an early wobble as Davina Perrin fell for 12 off 6, offering a flying start before being dismissed by Shabnim Ismail. Courtney Webb departed cheaply soon after, but Alice Capsey’s 30 off 27, loaded with three boundaries and a six, restored stability to the innings.
The highlight, however, was another brilliant knock from captain Georgia Wareham, who hammered a commanding 58 off just 32 balls, striking nine fours and a six at a sizzling 181.25 strike rate. Her clean ball-striking and calm presence under pressure swung the momentum firmly towards the Renegades.
Despite a late pushback from the Thunder — courtesy of wickets from Chamari Athapaththu (2/24), Voll (2/24), Samantha Bates (1/22), and Ismail (1/35) — the Renegades remained composed. A crucial unbeaten 37 off 26 from Nicole Faltum, decorated with four boundaries and a six, ensured the chase never derailed, guiding the Renegades home with 11 balls to spare, finishing at 151/6 in 18.1 overs.
Thunder’s bowling effort saw their bowlers providing the early breakthrough. But Wareham’s dominance with the bat, combined with Faltum’s finishing touch, proved too strong.
It was yet another standout night for Georgia Wareham, whose exceptional all-round impact — 58 (32) and 2/25 — gave her the player of the match award and once again underlined her status as one of the most influential players in the competition.
Wareham’s leadership and composure were central to the Renegades’ clinical chase, marking a confident continuation of their strong start to the season.
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