WBBL|11 : Alice Capsey outsmarts Nadine de Klerk as Melbourne Renegades edge out Brisbane Heat in a rain-affected contest

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Melbourne Renegades edged out Brisbane Heat in a tight and thrilling opening match of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2025/26 season on November 9, 2025, at Allan Border Field, Brisbane. The clash between the two well-matched sides lived up to expectations as the Renegades chased down a modest target under the revised Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in a rain-affected contest. It was a high-intensity contest that spotlighted the brilliance of Alice Capsey, who turned the game decisively in the Renegades’ favour through her all-round performance.

A key turning point in the match came in the 10.5th over when Capsey’s sharp bowling dismissed Nadine de Klerk, who was the Brisbane Heat’s top scorer with a resilient 40 runs off 38 balls, including five boundaries and a six. De Klerk fell to a perfectly executed delivery by Capsey and was caught stumping by Nicole Faltum. This dismissal was crucial as it broke a promising partnership and triggered a slide in the Heat’s batting line-up. Capsey’s bowling figures of 1.5 overs, 10 runs, and 2 wickets demonstrated her impact in restricting the opposition’s scoring and inducing vital breakthroughs.

Capsey’s spell saw her claim two wickets overall, including the vital scalp of Jemimah Rodrigues earlier, highlighting her effectiveness with the ball in the middle overs. She also contributed with the bat, scoring 5 runs off 5 balls, helping maintain the scoreboard pressure when the Renegades chased. Furthermore, Capsey was involved in an important run out that further disrupted the Heat’s innings. Her all-around brilliance was central to the Renegades’ victory narrative.

That's the wicket they were after!

Nadine de Klerk falls for an eventful 40 from 38 balls. #WBBL11

— Weber Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 9, 2025

Also READ: WBBL|11: Complete squads of all 8 teams

Brisbane set a challenging total of 133 runs in their full quota of 20 overs, with contributions across the order but no big innings besides de Klerk’s. The Heat lost wickets at regular intervals, never allowing a settled platform to form. Key contributions included Chinelle Henry’s 29 off 22 balls and a gritty late innings effort from Georgia Redmayne, who scored 16 before being bowled by Capsey.

The Renegades, chasing a revised target of 66 runs in 8 overs due to rain interruptions, executed their run chase with clinical precision. Courtney Webb starred with an aggressive 34 off 22 balls, navigating the innings skillfully alongside the captain Georgia Wareham, who remained unbeaten on 16. The Renegades lost early wickets with Davina Perrin dismissed for a duck, but the middle order steadied the ship effectively. The Renegades reached their target in 7.3 overs with 3 balls remaining, winning by 7 wickets under the DLS method.

Renegades captain Wareham was adjudged Player of the Match for her pivotal all-round performance—scoring 16 not out, taking 3 wickets for 12 runs, and holding onto two crucial catches. Her leadership and contribution with both bat and ball were instrumental in the Renegades’ success against a balanced Heat side.

Also READ: Jemimah Rodrigues reveals Annabel Sutherland’s touching message after Australia’s semifinal loss in Women’s World Cup 2025

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.