Renegades launch women’s team

Docklands now has its own women’s cricket team, with the Melbourne Renegades last month announcing Sarah Elliot as its first signing for the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL).

This year is the first time women will compete in the BBL, with the new format replacing the previous state-based women’s T20 competition. The WBBL was officially launched last month in Sydney.

Ms Elliot made her test debut for the Southern Stars in 2011 and has played 22 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 13 T20 matches for Australia.

The 33-year-old’s domestic career spans 15 seasons with the VicSpirit women’s team.

“I’m really looking forward to the WBBL season and everything that comes with the expectations of the Women’s Big Bash League,” Ms Elliot said.

“I’m proud to have signed for the Melbourne Renegades – particularly in this first season of the new league and to be able to wear red and compete for a club which had such strong support across Melbourne.”

“The men’s Big Bash League is a proven success and I’m really pleased to see Australia’s elite female players get the opportunity to compete in our own league with televised matches and all the additional exposure that goes with that.”

Eight of the WBBL matches, including the final on January 24, will be broadcast on Channel Ten. The televised matches will be played before the men’s BBL matches.

The WBBL will take on the same format as the men’s BBL, with eight teams competing in 59 matches over 51 days.

Melbourne Renegades CEO Stuart Coventry said the WBBL team heralded a new era for the club.

“It’s an exciting time for women’s cricket in Australia,” Mr Coventry said.

“This new league is a natural progression from the success of the Big Bash League and we’re now giving girls and young women a clear path to follow their own sporting dreams and potentially play for the Melbourne Renegades WBBL team in the future.”

“We’re looking forward to what the inaugural season has in store and can’t wait to see our WBBL side, in red, in the thick of the action and winning games for the club.”

Melbourne Renegades also announced the fixture for the upcoming season last month, with four matches scheduled at Etihad Stadium.

Local fans will have two opportunities to watch the Melbourne Renegades play before the year ends.

The Renegades will take on the Sydney Sixers at Etihad Stadium on December 23, before tackling the Perth Scorchers on December 30.

The hometown rivalry between local teams the Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars will be on show Etihad Stadium on January 11.

The Renegades will also host the Adelaide Strikers in a match at Etihad Stadium on January 18.