Optus Stadium to stage Women's Big Bash final, Adelaide Oval to host playoffs

Melbourne Renegades were unable to choose to play The Challenger in Melbourne, with state border restrictions preventing subsequent travel to Perth for the final

The Optus Stadium in Perth will host the final of the Women’s Big Bash after Perth Scorchers topped the group stage, allowing them to progress directly to the final with hosting rights.

Scorchers usurped Melbourne Renegades towards the end of the round-robin phase, with Renegades losing their last two games, while Sophie Devine’s side came on strong to claim victories over Melbourne Stars and Sydney Sixers, who finished bottom for the first time in the tournament’s history.

Although Renegades finished second, the Adelaide Oval will stage the playoff rounds. Renegades’ league position gave them the right to host The Challenger – the final playoff match between themselves as the second-placed team and the winner of The Eliminator between the third-placed and fourth-placed sides.

However, Renegades were unable to play the game in Melbourne, with state border restrictions preventing subsequent travel to Perth for the final.

Renegades then opted for the Adelaide Oval in order to allow Victorian supporters to travel, with South Australia easing its border restrictions for double-vaccinated people on November 23, two days before Renegades will face either Adelaide Strikers or Brisbane Heat.

The Eliminator will be held at the same venue, which means Strikers will unwittingly have home advantage despite Heat having finished above them in the regular season.

^{Melbourne Renegades made the last four despite being on the road throughout the tournament}

Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s general manager of Big Bash Leagues, paid tribute to Renegades, who were the only team from either Victoria or New South Wales to qualify for the finals in a year where their squad – along with those of Melbourne Stars, Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder – have been on the road throughout the tournament due to border restrictions. In Thunder’s case, it ruled out their captain, Rachael Haynes, from taking part for the reigning champions.

“We thank them, along with all players, staff and match officials across the competition, for their commitment to the Weber WBBL,” he said.

“We want to thank the Melbourne Renegades and their fans for their understanding around being unable to play finals matches in Victoria due to state border restrictions.”

Knockout stage

The Eliminator: Brisbane Heat v Adelaide Strikers, Adelaide Oval, November 24, 6.40pm local time (8.10am GMT)

The Challenger: Melbourne Renegades v TBC, Adelaide Oval, November 25, 6.40pm local time (8.10am GMT)

The Final: Perth Scorchers v TBC, Optus Stadium, November 27, 4.10pm local time (8.10am GMT)