Melbourne Renegades Win First WBBL Title

Melbourne Renegades secured their first WBBL title after defeating Brisbane Heat in a rain-affected final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Renegades' all-round performance, led by Hayley Matthews, was instrumental in their victory.

Matthews' Heroics

Hayley Matthews played a crucial role in the Renegades' win, scoring 69 runs and taking two wickets off successive deliveries in the second half of the match. Her knock of 69 was backed up by a 47-ball half-century, which helped the team reach 141 – a good score under the circumstances.

Brisbane Heat's Collapse

Brisbane Heat, who were chasing an unprecedented third championship, fell seven short of the DLS-adjusted target of 98 from 12 overs. The Heat's chase got off to a disastrous start, losing WBBL veteran Grace Harris in the first over for a duck. Jemimae Rodrigues also fell in the second over, and by the time play resumed, the Heat were 15 for 2.

Renegades' Comeback

The Renegades, who had never previously reached the final and finished last year with the wooden spoon, staged a remarkable comeback to win the title. They lost their first three games of the season but went on a six-game winning run to clinch the title.

Final Over Drama

The final over was a nail-biting affair, with captain Sophie Molineux bowling a near-perfect over to seal the Renegades' date with history. The Heat needed 19 runs in the last over, but Molineux's brilliant bowling ensured that the Renegades emerged victorious.

Brief Scores

• Melbourne Renegades: 141/9 in 20 overs (Hayley Matthews 69, Georgia Wareham 21; Charli Knott 3-28, Grace Parsons 2-29)
• Brisbane Heat: 90/6 in 12 overs (Jess Jonassen 44*, Georgia Redmayne 16; Hayley Matthews 2-24)