The Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia began in the 2015/16 season, with Sydney Thunder Women winning the inaugural edition.
Following the success of the first season, the league has completed nine more editions, offering an exciting platform for women cricketers worldwide to showcase their talent in a franchise T20 competition.
In this blog, we take a closer look at the winners of the WBBL over the years and review their performances that led them to become champions.
WBBL Winners List (2015 – 2026)
Sydney Thunder Women, Brisbane Heat, Sydney Sixers, and Adelaide Strikers have each won the WBBL title twice.
Here is the complete list of winners from the inaugural season to the most recent edition.
| WBBL Edition | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2015/16 | Sydney Thunder Women | Sydney Sixers Women |
| 2016/17 | Sydney Sixers Women | Perth Scorchers Women |
| 2017/18 | Sydney Sixers Women | Perth Scorchers Women |
| 2018/19 | Brisbane Heat Women | Sydney Sixers Women |
| 2019 | Brisbane Heat Women | Adelaide Strikers Women |
| 2020 | Sydney Thunder Women | Melbourne Stars Women |
| 2021 | Perth Scorchers Women | Adelaide Strikers Women |
| 2022 | Adelaide Strikers Women | Sydney Sixers Women |
| 2023 | Adelaide Strikers Women | Brisbane Heat Women |
| 2024 | Melbourne Renegades Women | Brisbane Heat Women |
| 2025 | Hobart Hurricanes | Perth Scorchers |
1. Sydney Thunder Women (2015-16)
In the very first WBBL season, Sydney Thunder Women claimed the title by showcasing consistent performance in the league phase, built around strong batting depth and timely bowling breakthroughs.
They overcame a strong Sydney Sixers Women side in the final and set the tone for franchise women’s cricket in Australia. Their balanced team effort made them deserving champions of the inaugural edition.
2. Sydney Sixers Women (2016-17)
The Sydney Sixers Women bounced back in 2016‑17 with a dominant campaign, finishing among the top teams in the group stage before clinching the championship.
Led by experienced internationals and backed by a disciplined bowling unit, they defeated the Perth Scorchers Women in the final and established themselves as one of the league’s top contenders.
3. Sydney Sixers Women (2017-18)
The Sixers retained their title in 2017‑18, powered by a strong team performance across the season. They again faced the Perth Scorchers Women in the final and used high‑quality batting and tight bowling to assert control.
Their back‑to‑back triumphs underlined their dominance in the early years of the WBBL.
4. Brisbane Heat Women (2018-19)
In 2018‑19, Brisbane Heat Women emerged as champions after an impressive campaign marked by key match‑winning contributions in both batting and bowling.
They defeated the Sydney Sixers Women in the final, ended the Sixers’ earlier dominance, and rode momentum built over the season’s tough contests to lift the trophy.
5. Brisbane Heat Women (2019)
Brisbane Heat secured their second straight title in 2019‑20, showing consistency throughout the league phase and then executing under pressure in the knockout stages.
They took down the Adelaide Strikers Women in the final, using a blend of seasoned campaigners and emerging talent to dominate their opponents in the decisive moments.
6. Sydney Thunder Women (2020)
Sydney Thunder Women made a strong comeback in 2020‑21, combining grit and teamwork across the season.
They finished the league phase with solid results and then held their nerve in the final against Melbourne Stars Women to claim their second WBBL trophy, reinforcing their place among the competition’s elite teams.
7. Perth Scorchers Women (2021)
Perth Scorchers Women won their first WBBL title during the 2021‑22 season, backed by both consistent league stage results and clutch performances in key matches.
They defeated the Adelaide Strikers Women in the final, demonstrating depth in squad strength and the capacity to perform when it mattered most.
8. Adelaide Strikers Women (2022)
Adelaide Strikers Women claimed their maiden WBBL championship in 2022‑23 through consistent performances across the season and superior execution in the final stage.
They beat the Sydney Sixers Women to win the title, providing a fresh look to the champions’ list and showing how competitive the league had become.
9. Adelaide Strikers Women (2023)
The Strikers successfully defended their crown in 2023‑24, building on their previous season’s foundation.
They again sold themselves as a balanced unit throughout the league, and edged past Brisbane Heat Women in the final. Their back‑to‑back titles underlined their rise in the WBBL hierarchy.
10. Melbourne Renegades (2024)
In 2024‑25, Melbourne Renegades Women emerged as champions for the first time. After a strong league phase, they carried their form through into the knockout rounds and won the final against Brisbane Heat Women.
Their breakthrough title illustrated the growing parity in the WBBL and the opportunity for different teams to succeed.
11. Hobart Hurricanes (2025)
The Hobart Hurricanes Women secured their first WBBL title with a dominant eight-wicket victory over the Perth Scorchers Women in the 2025 final at Bellerive Oval.
After restricting the Scorchers to 137/5, the Hurricanes chased down the target comfortably, powered by Lizelle Lee’s unbeaten 77 off 44 balls, earning her Player of the Match honours and sealing a memorable championship win.
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Conclusion: WBBL’s Role in Shaping Women’s Cricket!
The Women’s Big Bash League has become a top platform for women’s cricket since 2015‑16. Teams like Sydney Thunder, Sydney Sixers, Brisbane Heat, Adelaide Strikers, and Melbourne Renegades have impressed with consistent performances and exciting matches.
Champions have emerged through teamwork, strategy, and key contributions in both league and knockout stages, showcasing talent from Australia and around the world.
The WBBL continues to inspire young women cricketers and fans, growing in popularity each season. With competitive contests and emerging stars, the league promises more thrilling seasons ahead and strengthens its position as a premier women’s T20 competition.
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