Melbourne Renegades (WBBL) explained

The Melbourne Renegades (WBBL) are an Australian women's Twenty20 cricket team based in St Kilda, Victoria. They are one of two teams from Melbourne to compete in the Women's Big Bash League, the other being the Melbourne Stars.

History

Formation

One of eight founding WBBL teams, the Melbourne Renegades are aligned with the men's team of the same name.^[1] On 3 June 2015, Cricket Victoria announced Lachlan Stevens would "take charge of one of Melbourne's two WBBL teams".^[2] Stevens would be confirmed as inaugural head coach of the Renegades in the following months.^{[3] [4]} At the official WBBL launch on 10 July, Sarah Elliott was unveiled as the team's first ever signing.^[5] Elliott would also become the inaugural captain.^[6]

The Renegades played their first match against the Hobart Hurricanes at Aurora Stadium in Launceston on 11 December, losing by 35 runs.^[7] It took until their fifth match, a 20 December encounter with the Brisbane Heat at the Gabba, to register a win.^[8]

Rivalries

Sydney Sixers

The Renegades and Sydney Sixers have combined to produce some of the most "thrilling"^[9] and "controversial"^[10] matches in the league's history, particularly revolving around close finishes,^[11] including:

• 3 January 2018, GMHBA Stadium: In "bizarre"^[12] scenes, Sixers batter Sarah Aley attempted to score a game-tying run on the last delivery despite Renegades wicket-keeper Emma Inglis, having received the ball over the stumps from fielder Kris Britt and thus believing the match to be over, already celebrating victory. After deliberation, officiating umpires deemed the ball was not dead and the run would be allowed, thereby forcing a super over which the Renegades nevertheless went on to win.^{[13] [14]}
• 19 January 2019, Drummoyne Oval: In the Renegades' first finals appearance, with three runs required off the last ball for an upset victory, Sophie Molineux was short of her ground attempting the winning run due to a "miracle"^[15] piece of team fielding by Sixers players Erin Burns, Sarah Aley and Alyssa Healy. In the resulting super over, Sixers captain Ellyse Perry hit a six off Molly Strano to eliminate the Renegades from the tournament. The match, in conjunction with the other semi-final played earlier in the day, was hailed as a showcase of "the irrefutable rise of women's cricket"^[16] and "sport with drama, skill and unpredictability – a potent recipe for success".^[17]
• 17 November 2019, Drummoyne Oval: The Renegades, requiring 28 runs off the last 12 balls with only three wickets in hand, pulled off a "great escape"^[18] victory against the Sixers through a last-ball six from Courtney Webb against the bowling of Marizanne Kapp.^[19] It marked the first time a WBBL team had won a match when needing more than four runs off the final legal delivery.^[20] The ramifications of the result were season-shaping as the Renegades went on to edge out the Sixers for fourth spot on the ladder, making it the first season the Sixers would fail to qualify for finals.^[21]

Melbourne Stars

The Renegades hold an 8–4 record over their cross-town rivals, the Melbourne Stars. Noteworthy matches include:

• 1 January 2017, Melbourne Cricket Ground: Played in front of a reported crowd of 24,547—as part of a double-header with the men's BBL, setting a new record for the highest non-standalone WBBL attendance—the rain-affected match ended in anticlimactic fashion with the Renegades adjudged nine-wicket winners via the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method.^[22] Stars captain Meg Lanning initially protested the ruling with officiating umpires, claiming she had been given false information about the par score by the match referee.^[23]
• 20 January 2018, Melbourne Cricket Ground: Chasing 119 for victory, Renegades captain Amy Satterthwaite—who looked to have been run out earlier in the innings and left the field, but was recalled after TV replays showed wicket-keeper Nicole Faltum had dislodged the bails prematurely—hit a six off the final delivery against the bowling of Georgia Elwiss to tie the game. With scores still level after the super over, the Stars were awarded the win on the boundary count back rule.^{[24] [25]}
• 29 December 2018, Docklands Stadium: The Renegades recorded the second one-wicket victory in the league's history when Lea Tahuhu, a fast bowler not known for her batting ability, hit the winning single off Stars captain Kristen Beams with just one ball to spare. Courtney Webb, on 21 not out, was the set batter at the non-striker's end.^[26]

Brisbane Heat

Despite winning multiple championships in the league's early years, the Brisbane Heat have relatively struggled against the Renegades. Across the competition's first five seasons, the Renegades were the only team to beat the Heat more often than not.^[27] Noteworthy matches include:

• 23 December 2017, Docklands Stadium: Batting first, the Heat were bowled out for 66, equalling the WBBL record for lowest all out total.^[28] The Renegades chased the target down with ten wickets in hand and 55 balls remaining, also setting a new WBBL record for largest victory by a team batting second.^{[29] [30]}
• 27 November 2019, Allan Border Field: Targeting 184 runs to win, the Renegades set a new WBBL record for highest successful chase by sealing victory with six wickets in hand and six balls remaining.^[31]
• 7 December 2019, Allan Border Field: The Heat, on their way to a second consecutive title, chased down the Renegades' total of 4/163 with four wickets and 12 balls to spare in the first-ever semi-final encounter between the two teams. Wicket-keeper Josie Dooley, having won a championship with Brisbane in the previous season, top-scored for the Renegades with 50 not out.^[32]

Captaincy records

There have been eight captains in the Renegades' history, including matches featuring an acting captain.

Captain	Span		Won	Lost	Tied
Sarah Elliott	2015–2016	10	3	7	0	0	30.00
Molly Strano	2016–2019	2	1	1	0	0	50.00
Rachel Priest	2016–2017	16	6	10	0	0	37.50
Kris Britt	2016	1	1	0	0	0	100.00
Amy Satterthwaite	2017–20	43	17	23	0	3	42.50
Jess Duffin	2019	14	7	7	0	0	50.00
Sophie Molineux	2021–24	34	15	16	0	3	48.39
Hayley Matthews	2022–24	20	7	13	0	0	35

Source:^[33]

Season summaries

Season			Finals	Coach	Captain	Most Runs	Most Wickets		Refs
2015–16		8th	DNQ		Sarah Elliott	Dane van Niekerk – 275	Molly Strano – 18	Molly Strano	[34] [35] [36]
2016–17	6–8	7th	DNQ	Lachlan Stevens	Rachel Priest	Kris Britt – 290	Molly Strano – 21	Molly Strano	[37] [38] [39]
2017–18	6–8	6th	DNQ	Tim Coyle			Lea Tahuhu – 17		[40] [41] [42]
2018–19	7–6	4th	SF	Tim Coyle	Amy Satterthwaite	Danni Wyatt – 368	Molly Strano – 19	Sophie Molineux	[43] [44] [45]
	8–6	4th	SF	Tim Coyle	Jess Duffin	Jess Duffin – 544		Jess Duffin	[46] [47] [48]
	4–8	7th	DNQ	Lachlan Stevens	Amy Satterthwaite	Lizelle Lee – 261		Courtney Webb	[49] [50] [51]
	8–4	2nd	CF	Simon Helmot	Sophie Molineux				[52] [53] [54]
	4–9	7th	DNQ	Simon Helmot		Hayley Matthews – 253	Sophie Molineux – 11	Sophie Molineux	[55] [56] [57]

Legend

DNQ	Did not qualify	SF	Semi-finalists		Led the league
EF	Lost the Eliminator	RU	Runners-up	^	League record
CF	Lost the Challenger	C	Champions

Home grounds

Venue	Games hosted by season
01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	Total
Camberwell Sports Ground	–	2	4	–	–	N/A		–	6
Docklands Stadium	1	2	1	1	–			–	5
Junction Oval	2	–	–	3	5			2	12
Eastern Oval	–	–	–	1	1			2	4
Geelong Cricket Ground	–	–	–	1	–			–	1
Kardinia Park	–	–	1	2	–			–	3
Queen Elizabeth Oval	–	2	–	–	–			–	2
Ted Summerton Reserve	–	–	–	–	–			1	1

Current squad

^[58]

• Players with international caps are listed in bold.

	Name		Date of birth	Batting style	Bowling style	Notes
Batters
50	Hayley Matthews		19 March 1998	Right-handed	Right-arm off spin	Overseas marquee
11	Courtney Webb		30 November 1999	Right-handed	Right-arm medium
All-rounders
58	Chamari Athapaththu		9 February 1990	Left-handed	Right-arm off break	Overseas marquee (replacement)
8	Evelyn Jones		8 August 1992	Left-handed	Left-arm medium	Overseas marquee (replacement)
7	Harmanpreet Kaur		8 March 1989	Right-handed	Right-arm off spin	Overseas marquee (unavailable)
74	Carly Leeson		9 November 1998	Right-handed	Right-arm medium
Wicket-keeper
19	Paris Bowdler		24 November 2004	Right-handed	–	Replacement player;
3	Josie Dooley		21 January 2000	Right-handed	–
15	Erica Kershaw		23 December 1991	Right-handed	Right-arm leg spin
Bowlers
25	Sarah Coyte		30 March 1991	Right-handed	Right-arm medium
12	Ella Hayward		8 September 2003	Right-handed	Right-arm off spin
89	Shabnim Ismail		5 October 1988	Left-handed	Right-arm fast	Overseas marquee
23	Sophie Molineux		17 January 1998	Left-handed	Left-arm orthodox	Captain
26	Rhiann O'Donnell		14 April 1998	Right-handed	Right-arm medium
16	Georgia Prestwidge		17 December 1997	Right-handed	Right-arm medium
	Tayla Vlaeminck		27 October 1998	Right-handed	Right-arm fast	Australian marquee (unavailable)
32	Georgia Wareham		26 May 1999	Right-handed	Right-arm leg spin	Australian marquee (unavailable)

Players

Australian representatives

The following is a list of cricketers who have played for the Renegades after making their debut in the national women's team (the period they spent as both a Renegades squad member and an Australian-capped player is in brackets):

Overseas marquees

The following is a list of cricketers who have played for the Renegades as overseas marquees:

Associate rookies

Statistics and awards

Team stats

• Champions: 2024-25
• Runners-up: 0
• Minor premiers

0

• Win–loss record:

Opposition		Won	Lost	Tied
Adelaide Strikers	17	8	8	0	1	50.00
Brisbane Heat	16	7	9	0	0	43.75
Hobart Hurricanes	16	6	10	0	0	37.50
Melbourne Stars	15	8	6	0	1	57.14
Perth Scorchers	15	5	10	0	0	33.33
Sydney Sixers	17	6	10	0	1	37.50
Sydney Thunder	16	7	9	0	0	43.75
Total	112	47	62	0	3	43.12

• Highest score in an innings: 4/207 (20 overs) vs Brisbane Heat, 6 November 2021
• Highest successful chase: 4/185 (19 overs) vs Brisbane Heat, 27 November 2019
• Lowest successful defence: 110 (20 overs) vs Sydney Thunder, 7 November 2020
• Largest victory:
  • Batting first: 48 runs vs Melbourne Stars, 1 January 2019
  • Batting second: 55 balls remaining vs Brisbane Heat, 23 December 2017
• Longest winning streak: 4 matches
• Longest losing streak: 6 matches (18 October – 3 November 2022)

Source:^[59]

Individual stats

• Most runs: Sophie Molineux – 1,506
• Highest score in an innings: Danni Wyatt – 87 (55) vs Brisbane Heat, 27 November 2019
• Highest partnership: Sophie Molineux and Emma Inglis – 102 vs Hobart Hurricanes, 14 January 2018
• Most wickets: Molly Strano – 104
• Best bowling figures in an innings: Molly Strano – 5/15 (4 overs) vs Melbourne Stars, 2 January 2016

• Most catches (fielder): Sophie Molineux – 35
• Most dismissals (wicket-keeper): Josie Dooley – 38 (27 catches, 11 stumpings)

Source:

Individual awards

• Player of the Match:
  • Sophie Molineux – 11
  • Danni Wyatt – 6
  • Amy Satterthwaite – 5
  • Jess Duffin, Molly Strano – 4 each
  • Harmanpreet Kaur, Rachel Priest – 3 each
  • Courtney Webb – 2
  • Maitlan Brown, Grace Harris, Erica Kershaw, Anna Lanning, Lizelle Lee, Carly Leeson, Georgia Prestwidge, Jemimah Rodrigues, Georgia Wareham – 1 each
• WBBL Player of the Tournament:
  • Amy Satterthwaite – WBBL03
  • Harmanpreet Kaur – WBBL07
• WBBL Team of the Tournament:
  • Molly Strano (3) – WBBL02, WBBL04, WBBL05
  • Jess Duffin – WBBL|05
  • Harmanpreet Kaur – WBBL07
  • Sophie Molineux – WBBL|04
  • Amy Satterthwaite – WBBL03
  • Lea Tahuhu – WBBL|03
  • Danni Wyatt – WBBL|05
• WBBL Young Gun Award:
  • Sophie Molineux – WBBL03
  • Georgia Wareham – WBBL04

Sponsors

Year	Kit Manufacturer	Chest Sponsor	Back Sponsor	Breast Sponsor	Sleeve Sponsor
2015–16	Majestic	Rebel	VicHealth	VicHealth	Avalon Airport
2016–17			TAC	Carsales	Rebel
2017–18
2018–19		Mars
2019–20			Liberty Financial		RMIT University
2020–21		Liberty Financial		Simonds Homes	Rebel
2021–22	Nike			RACV Solar	Trikon

See also

• Melbourne Stars (WBBL)
• Victorian Cricket Association
• Victorian Spirit

Notes and References

1. Web site: Eight teams announced for Women's BBL. 10 December 2016.
2. Web site: Bushrangers and VicSpirit appoint assistant coaches. 2015-06-02. Cricket Victoria. en-US. 2020-04-27.
3. Web site: Renegades sign Vic young guns. Melbourne Renegades. en. 2020-04-27.
4. Web site: Renegades sign triple threat for WBBL. 10 December 2016.
5. Web site: Major signings unveiled at WBBL launch. cricket.com.au. en. 2020-04-27.
6. Web site: Renegades join forces with VicHealth. Melbourne Renegades. en. 2020-04-27.
7. Web site: Harris hundred highlights second week of WBBL. 2015-12-17. ESPNcricinfo. en. 2020-04-27.
8. Web site: Big names impress in third week of tournament. 2015-12-24. ESPNcricinfo. en. 2020-04-27.
9. Web site: Sixers through after super over epic. cricket.com.au. en. 2020-04-23.
10. Web site: WBBL Game Between Renegades And Sixers Ends In Controversial Super Over. Triple M. en. 2020-04-23.
11. Web site: Webb still flying high after last-ball heroics. cricket.com.au. en. 2020-04-24.
12. News: Cricket: Dead ball drama in bizarre ending to women's Big Bash match. 2018-01-04. NZ Herald. 2020-04-23. en-NZ. 1170-0777.
13. Web site: Dead Ball law under scrutiny after Inglis gaffe. 2018-01-03. ESPNcricinfo. en. 2020-04-23.
14. Web site: Gades denied after celebration blunder. cricket.com.au. en. 2020-04-23.
15. Web site: 'Unbelievable' Aussie cricket madness. 2019-01-19. NewsComAu. en. 2020-04-23.
16. News: Maurice. Megan. Women's cricket the winner in WBBL semis. 2019-01-20. The Guardian. 2020-04-23. en-GB. 0261-3077.
17. Web site: Given a Fairbreak, the WBBL has shown its true value. Lawson. Geoff. 2019-01-26. The Sydney Morning Herald. en. 2020-04-23.
18. Web site: WBBL round-up: Webb's last-ball six helps Renegades pull off great escape. 2019-11-17. ESPNcricinfo. en. 2020-04-23.
19. Web site: Ellyse Perry injured as Sixers lose on last-ball six against Renegades. 2019-11-17. ABC News. en-AU. 2020-04-24.
20. Web site: Women's Big Bash League Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. Cricinfo. 2020-04-24.
21. Web site: Sixers look for positives in 'bittersweet' finish. cricket.com.au. en. 2020-04-24.
22. Web site: Renegades' soggy WBBL derby triumph over Stars. 2 January 2017. The Australian. 18 May 2020.
23. Web site: Lanning discusses the D/L method. cricket.com.au. en. 2020-04-24.
24. Web site: Sydney Thunder back on top in WBBL after win over Adelaide Strikers. Buckley. James. 2018-01-20. The Sydney Morning Herald. en. 2020-04-24.
25. Web site: Satterthwaite's six part of rapid evolution. 2018-01-20. ESPNcricinfo. en. 2020-04-24.
26. Web site: Full Scorecard of Melbourne Renegades Women vs Melbourne Stars Women, Women's Big Bash League, 34th Match - Score Report ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. en. 2020-04-24.
27. Web site: Women's Big Bash League - Brisbane Heat Women Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. Cricinfo. 2020-04-24.
28. Web site: Women's Big Bash League Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. Cricinfo. 2020-04-24.
29. Web site: Women's Big Bash League Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. Cricinfo. 2020-04-24.
30. Web site: Melbourne Renegades rout Brisbane Heat for equal lowest score in WBBL history. Cherny. Daniel. 2017-12-23. The Sydney Morning Herald. en. 2020-04-24.
31. Web site: WBBL wrap: 'Gades shock Heat in record chase. cricket.com.au. en. 2020-04-24.
32. Web site: Heat set up Strikers showdown in WBBL Final. cricket.com.au. en. 2020-04-24.
33. Web site: Women's Big Bash League - Melbourne Renegades Women Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. 2021-08-23. Cricinfo.
34. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2015/16 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. Cricinfo. 2019-10-21.
35. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2015/16 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. Cricinfo. 2019-10-21.
36. Web site: State award winners announced. cricket.com.au. en. 2020-05-17.
37. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2016/17 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. Cricinfo. 2019-10-21.
38. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2016/17 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. Cricinfo. 2019-10-21.
39. Web site: WBBL04 Player of the Season Melbourne Renegades - BBL. www.melbournerenegades.com.au. 2020-04-24.
40. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2017/18 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. Cricinfo. 2019-10-21.
41. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2017/18 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. Cricinfo. 2019-10-21.
42. Web site: Satterthwaite named player of WBBL03. cricket.com.au. en. 2020-04-24.
43. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2018/19 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. Cricinfo. 2019-10-21.
44. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2018/19 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. Cricinfo. 2019-10-21.
45. Web site: Molineux named WBBL Player of the Season. Melbourne Renegades. en. 2020-04-24.
46. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2019/20 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. Cricinfo. 2019-12-09.
47. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2019/20 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. Cricinfo. 2019-12-09.
48. Web site: Double delight for Duffin. Melbourne Renegades. en. 2020-04-24.
49. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2020/21 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. 2020-12-01. Cricinfo.
50. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2020/21 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. 2020-12-01. Cricinfo.
51. Web site: Webb voted WBBL Player of the Season. 2021-04-21. Melbourne Renegades. en.
52. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2021/22 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. 2021-11-25. Cricinfo.
53. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2021/22 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. 2021-11-25. Cricinfo.
54. Web site: Kaur named WBBL Player of the Season . 2022-04-12 . Melbourne Renegades . en.
55. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2022/23 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com . 2022-11-20 . Cricinfo.
56. Web site: Women's Big Bash League, 2022/23 Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com . 2022-11-20 . Cricinfo.
57. Web site: Victoria . Cricket . 2023-03-29 . 2022-23 CV State and Big Bash award winners announced . 2023-04-01 . Cricket Victoria . en-US.
58. Web site: All the BBL and WBBL squads for 2024-25 season . ESPNcricinfo . 12 October 2024 . en.
59. Web site: Women's Big Bash League - Melbourne Renegades Women Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. Cricinfo. 2020-04-24.