Courtney Webb made a stunning 102-opening stand with Hayley Matthews helping Melbourne Renegades secure their first win of the WBBL 2024 season.
Webb made a move in the lineup during the T20 Spring challenge when Renegades coach Simon Helmot asked Courtney Webb, she was happy to throw up her hand.
Working out with Hayley Matthews in the top order, Webb pulled out the needed partnership for the Renegades.
Webb who has spent most of her elite career in the middle-order was one of the five players given a chance to open during a pre-season tournament.
Along with Naomi Stalenerg, Nicole Faltum, Emma de Broughe and Ella Hayward, she was given the job of joining Matthews for the first game of WBBL 2024.
Webb smashed 61 runs off 40 deliveries while Matthews smashed 41 runs in 27 deliveries and contributed a total of 102 runs against Scorchers.
One to remember👆First W in our #WBBL10 season🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/Gy86hr1Hd7
— Melbourne Renegades (@RenegadesBBL) November 2, 2024
“(In the) Spring Bash, I put my hand up for a go at the top,” Webb said after the Renegades wrapped up a six-wicket win.
“I haven’t done it before, but it’s the best time to bat, only two fielders out and the ball’s nice and hard, so why not – and I’m enjoying it so far.
“(I’ve just adjusted) my mentality, I haven’t changed too much with my skill set.
“It’s just having that focus and clarity of what my best options are, and then just backing myself to do that.
“(Opening with Matthews) definitely takes the pressure off, that’s for sure … when she’s knocking them everywhere at the other end, it’s a pleasure to watch and we had a lot of fun out there today.”
Webb and Matthew’s opening stand laid the foundation for the team’s first win of the season.
“We’ll try and carry the momentum off this game (into Sunday). We’ve been able to play out there already and know the conditions a bit better while the Strikers are getting off a plane from Sydney and coming off a loss as well,” Webb said.
“Momentum is everything, and with a bit of a jam-packed schedule – we’ve got two more games in Perth this week as well – so we’ve got a really busy front end (of the tournament), and hopefully we can carry that through to Perth.”
Renegades secured 6th position in the WBBL 2024 points table and will be playing their next match against Adelaide Strikers on November 03 at Junction Oval.
