Renegades back from brink to eye WBBL history at MCG

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Renegades back from brink to eye WBBL history at MCG

After two losses to start the season, Melbourne Renegades are on the cusp of winning their first WBBL final, but perennial high achievers Brisbane Heat stand in their way.

Renegades skipper Sophie Molineux has dared to dream of lifting the trophy at the MCG on Sunday afternoon and denying the Heat what would be a record-breaking third title.

The way the season started it could have felt like Groundhog Day for Molineux. The Renegades lost their opening two encounters after winning just two games the previous season to finish last.

“After we lost our first two games of the season we made a really conscious effort to not get too high or low on emotion,” she said.

“I think there was a level of maturity among the group to be able to bounce back from that. We have incredible players internationally and a domestic group we have a lot of belief in.”

Molineux has led from the front with 15 wickets and 134 runs. International recruits such as allrounder Hayley Matthews have chimed in to perfection with 12 wickets and 255 runs.

The skipper and fellow spinner Georgia Wareham have been with the club since day one and finally will play in the franchise’s first decider.”It is a really cool thought and a special thought to be able to lift up that WBBL trophy,” Molineux said.

“You catch yourself thinking about that and you have to pull back a little bit. Ten years is a long time. It is our first final and we finally got there.

“It has been a nice week to reflect on the 10 years and the highs and lows. We have a lot of family, friends and fans that have stood by us, so it is just nice to be able to get to the final and give them something to smile about hopefully at the end of the day.”

Heat skipper Jess Jonassen, with two titles to her name already, has other ideas, the side still hurting from last summer’s loss in the final against Adelaide.

“It would be incredibly satisfying … to become the first franchise to win three WBBL titles,” Jonassen said.

“Either way it is going to be exciting for both franchises, with the Renegades hunting for their first and us for that (third) milestone as well.

“Falling short last season against the Adelaide Strikers, it has been in the back of a few of our minds to want to go that one step further this time, and we have given ourselves that opportunity.”

The Heat reached the final with a nine-wicket win over Sydney Thunder on Friday night, while the Renegades have had a week to prepare.

“It doesn’t get much better than this,” Molineux said.

“We have based ourselves here at the MCG and have spent a lot of time trying to soak it up.

“This place is so special in the hearts of many Aussies, and for us to get the opportunity to play a final on the MCG is really exciting.”

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