Two games into Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 11, and Melbourne Renegades Women already look like a side determined to defend their crown — thanks in large part to Georgia Wareham’s leadership and brilliance with both bat and ball. Filling in for injured captain Sophie Molineux, the Australian all-rounder has shouldered extra responsibility without missing a beat, steering her team to a perfect 2-0 start.
It’s not just Wareham’s numbers that stand out — it’s her composure in the middle of it all. Stepping into the captaincy while Molineux nurses a quad complaint, Wareham has shown the kind of calm authority that lifts a dressing room. She admits that captaining the side brings new pressures, but also a refreshing change in perspective, “(I’ve) definitely got a lot more on my mind as captain,” Wareham said.
“But I also think that probably helps me out a little bit out there and gets me out of my own head.”
The Renegades’ campaign began just as the defending champions would have wanted — with a confident win over Brisbane Heat. Wareham’s fingerprints were all over the result, producing a commanding all-round performance that earned her the Player of the Match award. Her figures — 3/12, 16*(13), and two catches — were a statement of intent, announcing that Melbourne’s title defence was up and running.
That outing was more than just a statistical highlight; it set the standard for how Wareham wanted her team to play — bold, composed, and united.
If the opening match was about dominance, the second was about grit. Against Sydney Thunder, the Renegades’ chase of 149 was in tatters at 73/5. The situation demanded resilience, and Wareham delivered it in spades. Her 58 off 32 balls turned the game on its head, while her 2/25 with the ball earlier had already kept the Thunder in check.
Her partnership with Nicole Faltum, who scored a crucial 37* off 26 balls, was the defining moment of the night — guiding the Renegades to a hard-fought four-wicket victory and maintaining their unbeaten start.
Reflecting on the team’s ability to recover from tough spots, Wareham said, “Just having that belief that we’ve been in a lot of tricky positions, and been able to get out of it, definitely makes it a lot easier for the middle-order to get the job done.”
She also highlighted Faltum’s composure under pressure, “Falts has been so good at just coming in and being really calm and just going on with it.”
Even with her standout performances, Wareham insists the leadership is temporary. Molineux, who missed parts of the ODI World Cup as well due to workload management following knee surgery, remains on track to return soon — possibly for the clash against the Adelaide Strikers or the Melbourne derby that follows.
Wareham, while proud to lead, made her intentions clear with a smile, “But I’m definitely going to be giving it straight back to Soph when she’s back.”
Two wins, two match awards, and a growing sense of momentum — Georgia Wareham’s start to WBBL 11 has been nothing short of inspirational. Her ability to lead with both words and performances has steadied the Renegades through early uncertainty, setting a high standard for the season ahead.
(Quotes sourced from cricket.com.au)
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