The 2017–18 Melbourne Renegades Women's season was the third in the team's history. Coached by Tim Coyle, they finished the regular season of WBBL|03 in sixth place. Captain and new recruit Amy Satterthwaite won the league-wide Player of the Tournament award, though the Renegades nevertheless once again failed to qualify for finals. In promising signs for the team's future, all-rounder Sophie Molineux won the WBBL Young Gun Award, for which leg spinner Georgia Wareham and pace bowler Maitlan Brown were also nominated.
Squad
Each WBBL|03 squad featured 15 active players, with an allowance of up to five marquee signings including a maximum of three from overseas. Australian marquees are classed as players who made at least ten limited-overs appearances for the national team in the three years prior to the cut-off date (24 April 2017).[1]
Personnel changes ahead of the season included:[2][3]
Jess Duffin, Emma Inglis and Hayley Jensen signed with the Renegades, exiting the Melbourne Stars. Jensen, a New Zealander, was classed as a local player due to her permanent residence in Australia and a lack of recent international cricket appearances.[6][7]
Claire Koski joined the team, following her departure from the Sydney Thunder.
With the Renegades requiring 28 runs from the remaining 17 balls, new recruit Jess Duffin was dismissed in controversial fashion by what commentators and players believed to be an illegitimate catch. The momentum of the contest then swung dramatically and the Renegades lost by eleven runs.[11]
Melbourne Renegades won by 8 runs Camberwell Sports Ground, Melbourne Umpires: Daryl Brigham and Dale Ireland Player of the match: Amy Satterthwaite (Renegades)
Melbourne Renegades won by 10 wickets (with 55 balls remaining) Etihad Stadium, Melbourne Umpires: Daryl Brigham and Dale Ireland Player of the match: Sophie Molineux (Renegades)
Melbourne Renegades won the toss and elected to bat
Streamed on cricket.com.au
In "bizarre"[13] 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.[14][15]
Melbourne Stars won by 7 wickets (with 6 balls remaining) Melbourne Cricket Ground Umpires: Daryl Brigham and Dale Ireland Player of the match: Georgia Elwiss (Stars)
Melbourne Renegades won the toss and elected to bat
Melbourne Renegades won by 10 wickets (with 51 balls remaining) Blundstone Arena, Hobart Umpires: Wade Stewart and Muhammad Qureshi Player of the match: Sophie Molineux (Renegades)
Melbourne Renegades won the toss and elected to field
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.[16][17]
Sydney Thunder won by 4 wickets (with 24 balls remaining) Manuka Oval, Canberra Umpires: Dinusha Bandara and Andrew Crozier Player of the match: Nicola Carey (Thunder)
Melbourne Renegades won by 4 wickets (with 4 balls remaining) Camberwell Sports Ground, Melbourne Umpires: Andrew Crozier and Dale Ireland Player of the match: Sophie Molineux (Renegades)
Melbourne Renegades won the toss and elected to field
Perth Scorchers won by 4 wickets (with 23 balls remaining) Camberwell Sports Ground, Melbourne Umpires: Daryl Brigham and Andrew Crozier Player of the match: Katherine Brunt (Scorchers)
