Melbourne Renegades Women are entering Match 9 of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2025/26 season with a lot of momentum on their side. Their journey so far has been marked by bold strategies, youthful enthusiasm, and the growing impact of key players who are stepping up. As they gear up to face Adelaide Strikers Women, a few standout names are likely to play crucial roles: Milly Illingworth, Nicole Faltum, and Georgia Wareham. If these three hit their stride, the Renegades could gain the upper hand in what promises to be an exciting match.
Top 3: Melbourne Renegades Players to Watch Out Against Adelaide Strikers
Milly Illingworth
Milly Illingworth is emerging as one of the most promising young pace bowlers in the WBBL. Having made her debut for Victoria in the 2022-23 summer, she now showcases her talent with the Renegades. With 22 WBBL matches under her belt, Milly has taken 10 wickets so far, boasting best figures of 2/15 and an economy rate of 7.15. In her last outing, she managed a wicket while conceding 15 runs.
For the upcoming match against Adelaide Strikers, expect the Renegades to unleash Milly’s pace early in the innings. The hope is that she can make early inroads into the Strikers’ top-order before their batters settle in. Her ability to unsettle opponents with her speed and bounce provides Renegades with a tactical advantage.
Nicole Faltum
Nicole Faltum has been a standout performer for the Renegades, serving as both a wicketkeeper and a batter. Her recent form is encouraging, especially since she joined the Renegades from the Stars in WBBL 10, where she had a breakout season. With 92 WBBL matches to her name and 466 runs, including the highest score of 66*, Nicole has shown she can deliver when it counts. In her last game against Sydney Thunder, she scored an impressive 37*, signaling she’s in fine form.
Nicole’s role with the bat will be pivotal, whether she’s stabilizing the innings or accelerating it in the middle to lower order. The team will look to her for strong finishing or to rescue them from tricky situations. Additionally, her skills behind the stumps and her understanding of the game contribute greatly to the team’s overall performance. If she can deliver both with the bat and in her wicketkeeping, the Renegades will be in a strong position.
Georgia Wareham
Georgia Wareham is arguably the backbone of the Renegades’ strategy. With 64 WBBL appearances, she has scored 919 runs and taken an impressive 64 wickets, with the best bowling figures of 3/12. In a recent match against Sydney Thunder, Georgia shone with a match-winning 58 runs from 32 balls and took 2 wickets for 25 runs.
Her ability to impact the game with both bat and ball makes her an invaluable all-rounder. In the match against the Strikers, Georgia will likely take on the role of opening the bowling or controlling the early stages with her bowling, before batting later in the innings to help close out the game. Her experience, calmness under pressure, and knack for making game-changing contributions make her a key player that the opposition must keep in check.
If Melbourne Renegades Women can tap into Milly Illingworth’s sharp pace, Nicole Faltum’s finishing touch and glovework, and Georgia Wareham’s all-around prowess, they’ll be well-positioned to take control in Match 9. Their mix of youthful energy, skill, and comprehensive capabilities gives them a slight edge as they head into this test.
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