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• Magnificent Matthews leads Melbourne Renegades Women to maiden WBBL title

  Hayley Matthews provided the latest example of her exploits as a big game player when she played a starring role to help the Melbourne Renegades Women defeat the Brisbane Heat Women by seven runs via the DLS method in the final of the 2024 Women’s Big Bash League at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

  Matthews first made a crucial 61-ball 69 at the top of the innings as the Renegades posted 141-9 from their 20 overs after being put in to bat by the Heat.

  

  Her innings included eight fours and was crucial as the Heat bowlers were picking up wickets in quick succession at the other end.

  In fact, the only other Renegades batters to reach double figures were Georgia Wareham with 21 and Naomi Stalenberg with 16.

  Charli Knott and Grace Parsons were the main threats with the ball with 3-28 and 2-29, respectively.

  The Heat, after a rain delay during their reply, were set a revised target of 98 off 12 overs.

  Despite the best efforts of captain Jess Jonassen who made 44* off 28 balls, the Heat fell just short of their target, reaching 90-6 off 12 overs.

  Matthews led the way with 2-24 from her maximum three overs and was named player of the match.

   

• Australia victory a 'relief but enjoyable', says Ireland captain Doris

  Caelan Doris said Ireland's victory over Australia in their final Autumn Nations Series campaign came with "relief, but also enjoyment" at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. 

  Ireland earned a hard-fought 22-19 win to earn their third victory on the spin after starting their campaign with a first home defeat in more than three years to New Zealand. 

  In what was Joe Schmidt's first match in Dublin since leaving the Ireland job in 2019, his Wallabies side threatened to spoil the Irish Rugby Football Union's 150th anniversary celebrations.

  Australia had led for much of the contest and held a 13-5 advantage at the interval thanks to Max Jorgensen's try and some superb kicking from Noah Lolesio.

  But Gus McCarthy's try clinched an Irish win, with Josh van der Flier and Doris also scoring tries for the hosts. 

  "There's relief, but there's also enjoyment there too. It's a quality side, they are Joe Schmidt-coached, and we knew it was going to be top class," Doris said. 

  "Their attack was right up there, and it was a test for our defence. It was back and forth throughout, and we're delighted with the outcome.

  "It felt like we dominated possession and territory, but there was quite a lot of inaccuracy in their 22 and half. We turned it around and it was better in the second half."

  The encounter also saw Cian Healy become the most-capped player when he came off the bench to win his 134th cap and surpass former captain Brian O'Driscoll.

  For Schmidt, it was an unhappy return to Irish soil, though he can be happy with his side's display. 

  While he was disappointed to lose in Ireland, his Wallabies side again proved themselves a dangerous outfit, though he said he knew Saturday's hosts had a performance like that in them. 

  "I already knew that this group of young men had it in them. It was just for them to find it and galvanise each other," Schmidt said.

  "I felt at times in that first half we didn't quite capitalise on some of the line breaks that we made. Max Jorgensen's try was really well worked.

  "In the second half my one disappointment around the game is I felt we got quite conservative.

  "When you do that against Ireland and you are hanging on, you've a four-point lead and you're hoping that's enough, but we tried to do that from too far out.

  "I don't know what the territory or possession stats were but we were having to work very hard."

• Long overdue: Busby, Shaw celebrate winning homecoming as Girlz outclass Banyana Banyana

  Reggae Girlz Head coach Hubert Busby and captain Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw spoke glowingly about the team’s emphatic display in their opening friendly international against South Africa as they highlighted the 3-0 win as a special homecoming for the core World Cup group, who last played in Jamaica over a year ago.

  Shaw led the charge with a brace, and Siobhan Wilson scored a stunning opener in the performance that offered a blend of triumph and promise at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on Friday.

  With the win marking their first victory since the Fifa Women’s World Cup group stages last year, an elated Busby called it “long overdue” as he also praised the crowd’s support. The second game is scheduled for Monday at the same venue.

  “First, it was a great result, long overdue; and secondly, we’re just absolutely thrilled to have the people and the fans supporting us. We’re blessed to have one of the best strikers [Shaw] in the world playing in a Jamaica jersey, and it is great to have her back,” Busby said at a post-game press conference.

  The match saw Jamaica dominate the proceedings, as Shaw struck in the 55th and 83rd minutes after Wilson’s opener in the 43rd. Despite the commanding scoreline, Busby emphasized that the focus was on executing a complete team performance.

  

  Reggae Girlz Head coach Hubert Busby (left) in discussion with assistant Deon Burton.

  “We’re here to win football matches, but really it’s about the performance. We talked about completing a 90-minute performance, and I was really pleased. I think for us, the connector was making sure that we're keeping the ball moving and supplying the balls to our forward, but also making sure that we're dictating the tempo,” Busby shared.

  “We haven't done a good enough job at keeping clean sheets recently, and that has been a foundation for our success last year, so that’s also a really positive aspect to take from this game,” he noted.

  The coach also heaped praise on 19-year-old goalkeeper Liya Brooks, who made her debut and impressed with a composed display.

  “She looked like a veteran, flawless, as if she'd played 20 games. It speaks to the depth of the programme we’re building. So, I am really happy for her and the team as a whole because we really defended well and kept the shape,” Busby shared.

  With the Reggae Girlz looking ahead to the qualification cycle for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, Busby stressed the importance of building depth and nurturing young talent as his team still has room for growth.

  

  “Look, everyone who's eligible to play for Jamaica is under consideration. I think it's not just about bringing players in; it's about improving the ones we have as well, creating a culture of excellence, and ensuring that it's a competitive environment. So we’re always looking for players who can add value to the group,” said Busby.

  “So it is about making additions to improve it if need be. We had about six teenagers in the group coming in to this game as well, so really pleased to have those players and see how they kind of matriculate to the system as well,” he added.

  For Shaw, the match was not just a victory but a personal milestone. After a difficult recovery from injury, she returned in style, showcasing the poise and sharpness that have made her one of the world’s premier forwards.

  “Yeah, long 14 months away, but it’s good to get back in the rhythm, reconnect with the coaching staff and players, and I am just happy to get the result,” she said.

  “It’s always good to put the jersey back on; the past months were difficult with my injury, but I worked on myself mentally and physically to ensure I was fully fit to return. Back home, in front of my people and family, it’s an amazing feeling,” Shaw declared.

  

  The Manchester City striker’s determination to keep improving was evident, even as she celebrated her brace.

  “I missed a chance just before I scored the second goal. Even though I’m scoring, I think I can go even higher with what I’m capable of so I always look for ways to improve,” she said as she pointed out that environment plays a crucial role in her success.

  “The environment makes or breaks you. The support around me, both at the club and national levels, helps me flourish. I just have to keep improving and growing, on and off the field,” Shaw ended.