MATCH REPORTWest Indies all-rounder Hayley Matthews slammed 69 and took two wickets as the Melbourne Renegades beat Brisbane Heat by seven runs on the DLS method to win a rain-affected Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) final on December 1 (Sunday). It was the team's maiden silverware in the 10th season of the T20 tournament.
"It's pure elation. It's been a long 10 years at the Renegades, plenty of highs and lows," said the Melbourne skipper Sophie Molineux.
"It's just been so good this year. I'm just really happy for everyone involved. It does mean a lot."
Molineux's side powered to 141/9 off their 20 overs after being sent in to bat by Jess Jonassen's Heat. Matthews blasted 69 off 61 balls, playing a lone hand as wickets fell around her before being dismissed in the final over. Emerging stars Charli Knott (3/26) and Grace Parsons (2/29) were the pick of the Heat bowlers.
Rain began falling in the fourth over of the Heat's run chase when they were 15/2, with the covers coming on at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The game was reduced to 12 overs, and Heat were set a revised 98-run target to win.
But Georgia Redmayne fell for 16 soon after the restart, then Matthews removed Knott and Laura Harris in successive balls. Jonassen did her best to get them over the line with an unbeaten 44 off 28, but the Heat finished on 90/6 to slump to their second successive WBBL final defeat.
"It's been one hell of a journey this season; everyone wrote us off, bar us, and we were back here again contesting another final," said Jonassen.
"This one hurts a lot ... let's keep our heads up, keep sticking together and bring it home next year."
The men's Big Bash League starts on December 15.
Brief scores:
Melbourne Renegades Women 141/9 in 20 overs (Hayley Matthews 69, Georgia Wareham 21; Charli Knott 3/28) beat Brisbane Heat Women 90/6 in 20 overs (Jess Jonassen 44*; Georgia Redmayne 16; Hayley Matthews 2/24) by 7 runs (D/L method)
Player of the Match: Hayley Matthews
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