As the 10th edition of the WBBL comes to a close at the MCG on Sunday, the stakes are undoubtedly very high.
For rather different reasons, the history of both teams is at stake. For the most of the tournament’s existence, the Melbourne Renegades have had difficulty. Renegades ended with the wooden spoon last season and are the only team to have never made it to the final, aside from fellow stragglers Hobart Hurricanes.
But after making an incredible comeback to finish at the top of the ladder and earn a home final, they have been the competition’s success story this year. Their off-season hiring binge has paid off, as captain Sophie Molineux has taken the lead after being selected as the tournament’s WBBL team captain for her outstanding all-around season.
Renegades has been taking a long rest after soaring to the final; they haven’t played since November 23. They are eagerly pursuing their first WBBL championship, but they will face a resolute Brisbane Heat team that prepared for the final by thrashing the Sydney Thunder by nine wickets on Friday at Allan Border Field.
The Heat have also been playing well in the latter stages of the season as they attempt to avenge the heartache of losing to the Adelaide Strikers in an exciting final the previous season.
After back-to-back victories in WBBL 04-05, the Heat, a dominant force in the league with seven consecutive finals series qualifying, are looking to become the first club to win three titles.
Encouraged by captain Jess Jonassen, the Heat have successfully survived the off-season exits of a number of important players and a coaching change to get to their fourth final in seven seasons.
This mouthwatering finale, which has gripping plotlines and a matchup between two fierce teams, seems like a perfect way to cap off a condensed WBBL season that set many attendance and broadcast records.
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