Hayley Matthews stars as Melbourne Renegades win maiden WBBL title

Melbourne Renegades claimed their first WBBL title in a thrilling, rain-affected final against Brisbane Heat at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with Hayley Matthews playing a starring role. Renegades, who had scored 141/9 in the first innings, defended the 98-run DLS target by just 7 runs in a game that was reduced to 12 overs in the second innings.

Matthews put up an all-round show, hitting 69 runs off 61 balls, and taking 2 wickets for 24 runs to lead the Renegades to victory. The win was especially significant after a dismal last-place finish the previous season.

Brisbane Heat’s fielding proved costly, as they missed key opportunities that allowed the Renegades to post a competitive total of 141/9. Early on, Renegades struggled, losing Courtney Webb, Sophie Molineux, and Deandra Dottin cheaply. Dottin’s dismissal was especially bizarre, as she was run out without facing a ball when her bat got stuck in the turf. At 23/3 in the fifth over, the Renegades were in serious trouble. However, Matthews kept her composure despite a slow start, reaching just 6 off 15 balls before hitting two boundaries off Grace Parsons to regain her rhythm.

Matthews found an ally in Georgia Wareham, with the pair adding 41 runs in a steadying partnership. Wareham played a crucial role, scoring 21 from 21 balls, before being dismissed. A missed catch off Wareham, however, proved pivotal, as the Renegades were able to push on after reaching 76/5 in the 12th over. Matthews thumped a few boundaries in the power surge and ended the innings with a flourish, including three boundaries in the final three overs off Charli Knott’s offspin.

In response, Heat’s chase faltered from the start. Opening batter Grace Harris fell for a duck, and Jemimah Rodrigues soon followed. A rain delay further complicated the chase, reducing it to 98 runs off 12 overs. Matthews starred again with the ball, taking two quick wickets to leave Heat reeling at 37/5. Despite a valiant knock of 44* from Heat captain Jess Jonassen, who almost pulled off a miraculous recovery, the target proved too steep.

Jonassen’s attempt to revive the chase with a late surge fell short, especially after a costly miscommunication with Lauren Winfield-Hill. The Renegades’ bowlers kept their cool in the final overs, with Molineux sealing the win in the last over. This victory gave Melbourne Renegades their first WBBL title in a thrilling and dramatic finish.