The Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2024-25 final between the Melbourne Renegades and Brisbane Heat at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was a captivating encounter marred by rain interruptions. The Renegades, led by Hayley Matthews‘ scintillating knock, set a challenging target of 141/9 in their 20 overs. The Heat’s chase, revised to 98 runs in 12 overs under the DLS method, saw a valiant effort from skipper Jess Jonassen, but the Renegades emerged victorious by 7 runs to claim the championship for the first time ever. Matthews was eventually Player of the match for her excellent all-round performance in the summit clash.
Melbourne Renegades set a stiff target for Brisbane Heat
Opting to bat first, the Renegades overcame early setbacks thanks to a masterclass from Matthews. Her well-paced 69 off 61 balls anchored the innings amidst regular wickets, forming crucial partnerships with Georgia Wareham (21 off 21) and Naomi Stalenberg (16 off 12). Matthews’ calculated aggression in the middle overs and a late surge helped push the total to a competitive 141. The Heat’s bowling unit, led by Charli Knott (3/28), kept the Renegades under pressure, with Grace Parsons and Jonassen chipping in with vital breakthroughs. However, the Renegades’ late flourish added invaluable runs, giving their bowlers a defendable target in the high-stakes final.
Rain alters the chase dynamics in the WBBL 2024 final
The Heat’s pursuit of 142 started poorly, losing Grace Harris and Jemimah Rodrigues early. At 19/2 in 3.2 overs, rain interrupted play, forcing a revised target of 98 in 12 overs under the DLS method. Georgia Redmayne and Knott attempted to consolidate but failed to convert starts, leaving skipper Jonassen with an uphill task. Jonassen single-handedly kept the Heat in contention with a superb unbeaten 44 off 28 balls, showcasing her trademark composure and hitting prowess. However, a disciplined Renegades bowling attack, led by Matthews (2/24), chipped away at the batting lineup, ensuring no substantial partnerships developed.
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A fitting finish to a memorable season
As the match reached its climax, Jonassen’s late blitz brought the equation down to 13 runs needed off the final over. Despite her heroics, the Renegades held their nerve, with Charis Bekker and Milly Illingworth delivering clutch performances. Matthews’ all-round brilliance, complemented by a collective bowling effort, sealed the title for the Renegades. This victory marks a historic WBBL 2024/25 campaign for the Renegades, characterized by resilience, tactical acumen, and standout individual performances. The rain-affected thriller will be remembered as a testament to the intensity and unpredictability of T20 cricket.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Hayley Mathews has t20wc, wbbl, wpl and wcpl trophy. Greatest captain. #hayleymathews
— Sugu (@MegHPK07) December 1, 2024
I still cant wrap my head around the 1st WPL auction where Hayley Matthews was unsold in the 1st round of auction 😂 What a performance to take the Renegades to their 1st WBBL title 🏆 Big congratulations to Sophie and coach Simon for relentlessly being at it all this while.
— Amit Purohit (@purohita87) December 1, 2024
Well done to the @RenegadesBBL. From stone motherless in #WBBL9, they are champions in #WBBL10. They beat the Brisbane Heat by 7 runs, with Hayley Matthews named player of the match. Well played girls!
— Rory Burnside (@RoryBurnside) December 1, 2024
Introducing your 2024 WBBL 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 🏆#GETONRED pic.twitter.com/ozSuk5JLYd
— Melbourne Renegades (@RenegadesBBL) December 1, 2024
Can’t really overstate how big an achievement that is for Melbourne Renegades. After a decade of the comp, more often than not they were in the bottom half of the table, took 7 seasons to get beyond the semis and astonishingly the first Melbourne team to take the title. #WBBL10
— Isabelle Westbury (@izzywestbury) December 1, 2024
Melbourne Renegades
Wooden spoon in #WBBL09
Champions in #WBBL10— Swamp (@sirswampthing) December 1, 2024
match wins, WBBL:
88 Brisbane Heat
81 Sydney Sixers
75 Perth Scorchers
73 Adelaide Strikers
69 Sydney Thunder
57 Melbourne Renegades
53 Melbourne Stars
49 Hobart Hurricanes— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) December 1, 2024
The Gades have only gone and won the whole damn thing. pic.twitter.com/zNNk7kb6mT
— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) December 1, 2024
Melbourne Renegades wins WBBL 2024 💪🙌👏🏆#WBBL10 #MelbourneRenegades #WBBL #cricket #CricketTwitter #WomenCricket pic.twitter.com/IhuHETX5OA
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) December 1, 2024
Well set up by Hayley! Top, top, win for MR! 💪 https://t.co/tbK5pG7tKr
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) December 1, 2024
Harsh Critic of Renegades but throughly deserved to be crowned as champions. Great comeback from having finished last in the last tournament. Well played by champions of #WBBL10
— Cricket Tamizhan (@CricketTamizhan) December 1, 2024
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
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