WBBL Thriller: Renegades Edge Out Heat to Claim Championship
The amazing all-round performance by captain Matthews helped the Renegades win the first Women’s Big Bash League title after beating the Heat by seven runs in a thrilling contest. The Renegades made history in this turnaround performance, which saw them go from the last place into champions with Matthews scoring 69 runs and taking 2 for 24. Rain also played its part in the final, which modified the DLS target of the Heat.
The Historic Final: Renegades Claim First WBBL Title
After an unpredictable season, the Renegades advanced to their debut WBBL final. To win their third championship, the Heat had to fight through a rain-affected game while chasing a revised goal. However, with the early setbacks notwithstanding, a brilliant performance from Matthews carried the Renegades to a hard-fought victory.
Match Summary of WBBL 2024
The table below is the summary of the finale:
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Teams | Melbourne Renegades vs Brisbane Heat |
| Venue | MCG, Melbourne |
| Date | 1st December 2024 |
| Batting First | Renegades: 141/9 in 20 overs |
| Chasing Revised Target | Heat: 98 in 12 overs (DLS method) |
| Result | By 7 runs, Renegades won through the DLS method |
| Player of the Match | Hayley Matthews (69 runs, 2 wickets) |
Melbourne Renegades Batting Performance:
| Player | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hayley Matthews | 69 | 61 | 9 | 1 |
| Georgia Wareham | 21 | 21 | 3 | 0 |
| Naomi Stalenberg | 11 | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| Others | 40 | - | - | - |
Total Runs: 141/9 (20 overs)
Matthews anchored the innings despite a rough start, picking up early wickets in the powerplay and forming useful partnerships with Wareham and Stalenberg. The Renegades reached a respectable total with Matthews’ late burst, which included two boundaries in the last over.
Brisbane’s Bowling Performance:
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charli Knott | 4 | 26 | 3 |
| Grace Parsons | 4 | 29 | 2 |
| Jess Jonassen | 4 | 19 | 1 |
Total Runs Conceded: 141/9
Heat's Chase:
Brisbane started their chase poorly, losing key wickets early. Grace Harris was dismissed for a duck, and Jemimah Rodrigues followed soon after, leaving the Heat at 19/2. With rain affecting the match, the DLS method set the new target to 98 in 12 overs.
Heat Batting Performance:
| Player | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Jess Jonassen | 44* | 28 |
| Grace Harris | 0 | 2 |
| Jemimah Rodrigues | 0 | 5 |
| Others | 54 | - |
The rain delay allowed the Heat to regroup, but the pressure continued to mount as the required run rate increased. Despite Jonassen’s late flurry, including 16 runs off the Power Surge, it wasn’t enough.
Renegades’ Bowling Performance:
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hayley Matthews | 3 | 24 | 2 |
| Sophie Molineux | 3 | 19 | 1 |
| Milly Illingworth | 3 | 18 | 1 |
Total Runs Conceded: 98 (12 overs, revised target)
Moments in the Final
- Matthews’ 69 runs off 61 balls and 2 wickets for 24 were key to the Renegades’ success. She took crucial wickets, including the dismissal of Laura Harris, and made vital partnerships.
- The rain caused a delay, reducing the chase to 12 overs. The Heat now needed 98 runs, which was doable, but the Renegades’ bowlers remained calm, making for a dramatic end.
- As captain, Molineux delivered under pressure, taking a key wicket and managing the final overs with precision, giving just 5 runs in the last over to seal the title.
WBBL 2024 Final Result
| Team | Score | Wickets | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renegades | 141/9 | - | Won by 7 runs through DLS |
| Heat | 98 (12 overs) | - | Lost |
WBBL 2024 Champions
After finishing last season at the bottom, this victory is the Renegades’ inaugural WBBL crown, making it a historic triumph. Their remarkable perseverance and cooperation are evident in their ascent from last to first position.
Winners List of WBBL: 2021 to 2024
| Season | Winner | Won By | Runner Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | Melbourne Renegades | 7 runs (DLS method) | Brisbane Heat |
| 2023-24 | Adelaide Strikers | 3 runs | Brisbane Heat |
| 2022-23 | Adelaide Strikers | 10 runs | Sydney Sixers |
| 2021-22 | Perth Scorchers | 12 runs | Adelaide Strikers |
| 2020-21 | Sydney Thunder | 7 wickets | Melbourne Stars |
WBBL Winners & Player of the Match List
| Season | Winner | Captain | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | Melbourne Renegades | Sophie Molineux | Hayley Matthews |
| 2023-24 | Adelaide Strikers | Tahlia McGrath | Amanda-Jade Wellington |
Conclusion
The Renegades defeated tremendous odds to win their debut championship in the thrilling WBBL 2024 final. With an exceptional all-around performance, Matthews led the way as they made history by displaying their talent and perseverance. Their victory, which was a major improvement over the previous season, solidified their place in WBBL history.
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