Melbourne Renegades have received a massive boost ahead of the Melbourne Derby on November 16 at Junction Oval, with captain Sophie Molineux set to lead the side for the first time this Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) season. After overcoming a quad injury, the 27-year-old returns at a crucial moment, replacing pace bowler Sara Kennedy in the matchday squad.
Molineux’s comeback arrives at the perfect time for the defending champions, who are looking to rebound after their loss to Adelaide Strikers and set the tone for the first of two Melbourne derbies in WBBL 11.
Earlier in the season, the Renegades chose a cautious path with their skipper, ruling her out of the start of WBBL 11 due to a minor quad strain. After a demanding stretch during Australia’s ODI World Cup campaign, the club’s medical staff were determined not to jeopardize her long-term fitness — especially given her history of serious knee and foot injuries.
Molineux had only returned to action this year after knee surgery in January and dealt with knee soreness last season as well. Despite those setbacks, her importance to the side has never been in doubt. She was the Renegades’ leading wicket taker last season with 16 wickets in seven matches; while also scoring 140 runs at a strike rate of 155, performances that helped set the foundation for the club’s maiden WBBL title.
With Molineux unavailable, vice-captain Georgia Wareham stepped into the captaincy for the opening fixtures — and delivered exactly what the champions needed. A core part of the leadership group for years, her transition into the role was seamless.
The Renegades launched their WBBL 11 campaign in dominant fashion with a confident victory over Brisbane Heat, a match shaped heavily by Wareham’s brilliance. Her Player of the Match showing — 3/12 & 16* (13), and two catches — underlined both her tactical sharpness and her all-round value.
If that performance announced the Renegades’ intent, the next match showcased their resilience. Chasing 149 against Sydney Thunder, the side crashed to 73/5, but Wareham produced one of the innings of the tournament, smashing 58 off 32 balls to rescue the chase. Earlier, her 2/25 had already kept Sydney Thunder to a manageable total, completing another influential outing.
Now, with Sophie Molineux fit again and back at the helm, Melbourne Renegades enter a key phase of their title defense. Her experience, bowling impact, and lower order hitting combine with Wareham’s red-hot form to give the champions a strengthened core heading into a high-pressure derby.
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