The Final clash of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2024 promises to be an exciting showdown as the Melbourne Renegades take on the Brisbane Heat at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday, December 1.
Melbourne Renegades: Dominant league leaders
The Melbourne Renegades, captained by Sophie Molineux, finished at the top of the points table with 14 points, showcasing consistent performances throughout the tournament. In their most recent outing, they delivered a commanding victory over the Sydney Thunder by 9 wickets. Molineux was the standout performer, contributing both with bat and ball, scoring an unbeaten 42 runs and claiming 4 wickets. This remarkable all-round display ensured the Renegades became the first team to secure a spot in the finals.
Brisbane Heat: A gritty challenger
The Brisbane Heat, led by Jess Jonassen, also ended the league stage with 14 points, finishing second on the table. Their path to the final was sealed with a decisive 9-wicket win over the Sydney Thunder in the Challenger match. Grace Parsons spearheaded the Heat’s bowling attack with a brilliant performance, taking 3 crucial wickets to dismantle the opposition. This victory demonstrated the Heat’s resilience and determination as they set their sights on the championship.
Women’s Big Bash League 2024 Final: MR-W vs BH-W
- Date and Time: December 1: 2:20 am GMT / 1:20 pm local/ 7:50 am IST
- Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Melbourne Cricket Ground Pitch Report:
The pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is expected to offer a balanced contest between bat and ball. Early on, bowlers might find some assistance, but as the game progresses, the surface is likely to become more favourable for batters, enabling aggressive stroke to play thanks to the pitch’s good bounce and pace. Historically, the average first-innings score at the MCG is around 165, with successful teams often targeting totals of 170 or more. The larger boundaries at the ground can influence scoring rates, adding an extra layer of challenge for the batters. Teams batting first will aim to post a competitive score of at least 160-170, setting the stage for an engaging clash between the Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades.
MR-W vs BH-W, Dream11 Prediction Picks:
- Wicketkeeper: Georgia Redmayne
- Batters: Grace Harris, Deandra Dottin, Jemimah Rodrigues
- All-rounders: Jess Jonassen, Hayley Matthews, Sophie Molineux, Georgia Wareham
- Bowlers: Shikha Pandey, Nicola Hancock, Lucy Hamilton
Also WATCH: Jemimah Rodrigues channels her inner Ravi Shastri during WBBL 2024 Challenger’s game toss presentation
MR-W vs BH-W, Dream11 Prediction Captain and Vice-Captain:
Choice 1: Sophie Molineux (c), Jess Jonassen (vc)
Choice 2: Jemimah Rodrigues (c), Hayley Matthews (vc)
MR-W vs BH-W, Dream11 Prediction Backups:
Sarah Coyte, Charli Knott, Courtney Webb, Grace Parsons
MR-W vs BH-W, Dream11 Team for today’s match (December 1, 2:20 am GMT):
Squads:
Melbourne Renegades: Courtney Webb, Hayley Matthews, Sophie Molineux (c), Deandra Dottin, Georgia Wareham, Naomi Stalenberg, Nicole Faltum (wk), Georgia Prestwidge, Sarah Coyte, Milly Illingworth, Charis Bekker, Ella Hayward, Tara Norris
Brisbane Heat: Grace Harris, Georgia Redmayne (wk), Jemimah Rodrigues, Charli Knott, Jess Jonassen (c), Lauren Winfield-Hill, Laura Harris, Lucy Hamilton, Shikha Pandey, Grace Parsons, Nicola Hancock, Sianna Ginger, Mikayla Wrigley
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.