WBBL 2024 Awards Winners and Best XI of Tournament

WBBL 2024 Awards Winners and Best XI of Tournament (Image via WBBL)

The Melbourne Renegades capped an extraordinary turnaround season by claiming their maiden Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) title. Their 7-run victory (DLS method) over Brisbane Heat at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on December 1, 2024, marked a new chapter in the franchise’s history. The Renegades, who finished last in 2023, rose to the top in 2024, led by stellar performances and unwavering determination.

Final Showdown: Renegades Triumph in Rain-Hit Thriller

Put in to bat, the Renegades posted 141 for 9, thanks to Hayley Matthews’ brilliant 69 off 61 balls. Matthews’ composed innings, coupled with handy contributions from Georgia Wareham (21 off 21) and Naomi Stalenberg (16 off 12), provided a competitive total. Brisbane Heat’s Charli Knott starred with the ball, taking 3 for 28, while Grace Parsons chipped in with two crucial wickets.

Rain intervened, reducing Brisbane Heat’s chase to 98 in 12 overs. Despite a fighting 44* from skipper Jess Jonassen, Heat stumbled to 90/6, falling short by seven runs. Matthews excelled with the ball, picking up 2 for 24. Contributions from Charis Bekker, Sophie Molineux, Deandra Dottin, and Milly Illingworth ensured the Renegades defended their total. This victory secured their first-ever WBBL title.

Spotlight on WBBL 2024 Awards Winners

The thrilling season concluded with the announcement of WBBL 2024 awards winners, recognizing players who shone across various aspects of the league.

Champions: Melbourne Renegades celebrated their maiden title win, a testament to their resilience and teamwork.
Runner-up: Brisbane Heat, despite their spirited campaign, fell short in the final for the second consecutive year.
Player of the Match (Final): Hayley Matthews (Melbourne Renegades) earned this honor for her match-defining all-round performance of 69 runs and 2 wickets.

The individual accolades highlighted stellar performances:

BKT Golden Bat Award: Ellyse Perry (Sydney Sixers) claimed this prestigious honor, scoring 424 runs in just 10 matches at a remarkable average of 53.00. Perry’s consistency and four half-centuries were pivotal for her team.
BKT Golden Arm Award: Alana King (Perth Scorchers) emerged as the top wicket-taker, with 20 scalps in 10 matches at an economy of 7.06. Her accurate leg-spin was crucial in key moments throughout the season.
Young Gun Award: Chloe Ainsworth (Perth Scorchers) stood out as an emerging talent, showing composure and skill beyond her years.

Record-Breaking Feats Define WBBL 2024

Beyond the WBBL 2024 awards winners, several records showcased the quality of cricket in this season:

Most Runs: Ellyse Perry’s dominance with 424 runs demonstrated her unmatched ability to anchor and accelerate innings.
Most Wickets: Alana King and Suzie Bates shared the season’s wicket tally lead with 20 each, with Bates’ economy of 6.35 giving her a slight edge in efficiency.
Most Centuries: Lizelle Lee (Hobart Hurricanes) smashed two centuries, with her unbeaten 150 off 75 balls being the season’s highest individual score.
Most Fifties: Perry notched up four half-centuries, leading her team’s batting with remarkable consistency.
Most Sixes: Lizelle Lee dominated in power-hitting, clearing the boundary 18 times.
Best Bowling Figures: Lucy Hamilton’s 5 for 8 for Brisbane Heat against Melbourne Stars was a standout display of precision bowling.

The stats underscored the depth and intensity of WBBL 2024, with players excelling across all formats of the game.

Team of the Tournament Showcases Excellence

The WBBL 2024 Team of the Tournament recognized the league’s top performers:

Ellyse Perry (Sydney Sixers) – A mainstay in the batting order.
Lizelle Lee (Hobart Hurricanes) – The league’s most explosive batter.
Sophie Molineux (Melbourne Renegades) – The captain and an all-round powerhouse.
Alana King (Perth Scorchers) – The leading wicket-taker.
Chloe Ainsworth (Perth Scorchers) – Rising star with all-round promise.
Samantha Bates (Sydney Thunder) – Consistent wicket-taker.
Georgia Voll (Sydney Thunder) – A dependable performer in the middle order.
Beth Mooney (Perth Scorchers) – A reliable presence at the top of the order.
Hayley Matthews (Melbourne Renegades) – Key to her team’s title win.
Phoebe Litchfield (Sydney Thunder) – Showed maturity beyond her years.
Shikha Pandey (Brisbane Heat) – Versatile all-rounder.
Georgia Wareham (Melbourne Renegades) – Named as 12th player for her consistent contributions.

A Season to Remember

The WBBL 2024 season delivered everything fans could hope for: high-stakes matches, record-breaking feats, and a Cinderella story in the Melbourne Renegades. The triumph of the Renegades and the standout performances from the WBBL 2024 awards winners highlighted the league’s growing competitiveness and global appeal.

As teams reflect and regroup, the next season promises even more drama, with young talents like Chloe Ainsworth and seasoned campaigners like Ellyse Perry ready to raise the bar further. For now, the Renegades and their fans savor the sweet taste of a historic victory.