Among the world’s top franchise leagues, Cricket Australia’s Big Bash League (WBBL) is one of the biggest carnivals in the game. The competition was notably founded in 2015 with the goal of providing female cricket players with an equal opportunity to display their skills to their male counterparts. Together with local cricket players, the WBBL brings together the best international players from across the world to enjoy cricket and get first-hand experience.
In the first edition, the Sydney Thunder won the championship, and the Sydney Sixers, who played in the same city, came in second. Eight teams participated in the covered cricket event as the tournament’s scope grew over time. Accordingly, these BBL teams are the Adelaide Strikers, Perth Scorchers Women, Sydney Sixers, Sydney Thunder, Melbourne Stars Women, Melbourne Renegades Women, Hobart Hurricanes, and Brisbane Heat.
WBBL Winners List From 2015 to 2025
Speaking about winners over the years, the Sydney Sixers were among the first to dominate, winning the WBBL championship twice in a row in the 2016–17 and 2017–18 seasons. In addition to them, the Brisbane Heat had the honour of following in the Sixers’ footsteps and winning consecutive championships in the 2018–19 and 2019–20 seasons.
However, the same trend was followed, with the Adelaide Strikers winning the title in 2022–2023 and 2023–2024, continuing the tradition of early winners. In the WBBL 2025 final, the Hobart Hurricanes Women added their name to the list of champions by defeating the Perth Scorchers Women by eight wickets.
| Season | Champion | Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | Sydney Thunder | Sydney Sixers |
| 2016-17 | Sydney Sixers | Perth Scorchers |
| 2017-18 | Sydney Sixers | Perth Scorchers |
| 2018-19 | Brisbane Heat | Sydney Sixers |
| 2019-20 | Brisbane Heat | Adelaide Strikers |
| 2020-21 | Sydney Thunder | Melbourne Stars |
| 2021-22 | Perth Scorchers | Adelaide Strikers |
| 2022-23 | Adelaide Strikers | Sydney Sixers |
| 2023-24 | Adelaide Strikers | Brisbane Heat |
| 2024-25 | Melbourne Renegades | Brisbane Heat |
| 2025-26 | Hobart Hurricanes | Perth Scorchers |
2015–16: Sydney Thunder Women
The first Women’s Big Bash League final was played between Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers. The Sixers won the toss and elected to bat first. The decision to bat first did not go well for the Sixers as the team could score only 115 runs. Erin Osborne picked up three wickets for Thunder.
In reply to the chase, Thunder got a good start from both openers. In the end, Sydney Thunder won the match by three wickets and three balls to spare. Sydney Thunder Women became the first crowned winners of the Women’s Big Bash League.
2016–17: Sydney Sixers Women
After losing the first season final Sydney Sixers Women again went in the final of the 2016/17 WBBL season. Sydney Sixers Women faced Perth Scorchers Women in the final. Perth Scorchers Women won the toss and gave Sixers the chance to bat first. Alyssa Healy, the captain of the team, scored 40 runs and helped the team reach a fighting total of 124 runs.
As the chase for 124 runs started, Perth Scorchers Women got off to a decent start. But Sarah Aley stole the show as she picked four wickets and restricted Scorchers to 117 runs by the end of 20 overs. In the end, Sydney Sixers Women won the title by 7 runs, and this was their first title in WBBL.
2017–18: Sydney Sixers Women
The 2017/18 WBBL final was a rematch of the 2016/17 WBBL final as Sydney Sixers Women faced Perth Scorchers Women in the final again. This was Sydney Sixers Women’s third final, and they wanted to defend their title. Perth Scorchers Women won the toss, and nothing went right for them. Perth Scorchers Women were wrapped up for 99 runs.
For the Sydney Sixers Women, Alyssa Healy and Ellyse Perry started well, but Healy was sent back to the dressing room on 41 runs. However, Ashleigh Gardner took charge and led the Sydney Sixers Women to win the game by 9 wickets. Sydney Sixers Women won the final and became the first team to defend the WBBL title.
2018–19: Brisbane Heat Women
Sydney Sixers Women, who wanted to win their third WBBL title, faced Brisbane Heat Women in the 2018/19 WBBL final. The Sixers posted a total of 131 runs for the Heat to chase. As the Brisbane Heat came to bat to chase the target, Beth Mooney made the chase easier for the team.
Beth Mooney’s knock of 65 runs helped Brisbane Heat Women chase the target with four balls left. Brisbane Heat and the Sydney Sixers Women’s streak of winning the titles in a row. The 2018/19 WBBL final saw a new winner as Brisbane Heat Women won the title for the first time.
2019–20: Brisbane Heat Women
After having a wonderful season last year, the Brisbane Heat Women were aiming to defend the title. The 2019/20 WBBL final was between Brisbane Heat Women and Adelaide Strikers Women. Amanda-Jade Wellington scored 55 runs and helped Adelaide Strikers reach a total of 161 runs.
As the chase started, Beth Mooney led the team from one side and scored 56 runs. Her knock helped the team to win the title for the second time. The Brisbane Heat Women are now the second WBBL team to win the championship twice in a row.
2020–21: Sydney Thunder Women
After winning the finals of the first season, Sydney Thunder Women waited for four years to reach the final. In the 2020/21 season, Sydney Thunder Women faced Melbourne Stars Women in the finals of the WBBL. This was a low-scoring final as Melbourne Stars Women scored 86 runs by the end of 20 overs.
In reply to the target, the Sydney Thunder Women chased down the target in 13.4 overs. Sydney Thunder Women won the match and became the winners of the WBBL 2020/21 season. This was their second trophy in WBBL. Sydney Thunder Women became the third team to win two WBBL titles.
2021–22: Perth Scorchers Women
For the third time, Perth Scorchers Women reached the final of WBBL. Adelaide Strikers Women faced Perth Scorchers Women in the 2021/22 season of WBBL. Adelaide Strikers Women won the toss and sent Scorchers to bat first. Taking advantage of the pitch, Perth Scorchers Women posted a total of 146 runs for Adelaide Strikers Women to chase.
The Adelaide Strikers Women could not find the momentum to carry the chase as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Scorchers restricted the Strikers’ women to 134 runs and won the game by 12 runs. After losing three WBBL finals, the Perth Scorchers Women finally won the WBBL title in the 2021/22 season.
2022–23: Adelaide Strikers Women
Adelaide Strikers Women faced Sydney Sixers Women in the finals of the WBBL 2022/23 season. Adelaide Strikers Women put on a decent score of 147 runs with the help of Deandra Dottin, scoring an unbeaten knock of 52 runs.
As the chase started, Sydney Sixers Women fell short of 10 runs, which resulted in Adelaide Strikers Women winning the WBBL title for the first time. Amanda-Jade Wellington picked the last wicket to help her team win the final game.
2023–24: Adelaide Strikers Women
Adelaide Strikers Women were facing Brisbane Heat Women in the finals of the WBBL 2023/24 season. Coming to bat first, the Strikers put on a total of 125 runs for the Heat to chase. However, the match became a nail-biting contest as the Brisbane Heat was eager to chase the target.
But Heat lost wickets at regular intervals, and Adelaide Strikers Women became the champions of WBBL 2023/24. Adelaide Strikers Women defended the title, which made them the third team in WBBL to retain the title.
2024–25: Melbourne Renegades Women
With Hayley Matthews playing a key role, the Melbourne Renegades defeated the Brisbane Heat in an exciting, rain-affected final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to win their first WBBL title. In a match that was cut to 12 overs in the second innings, the Renegades, who had scored 141/9 in the first innings, managed to defend the 98-run DLS mark by 7 runs.
The Renegades won because of an all-around performance from Matthews, who took two wickets for 24 runs and scored 69 runs off 61 balls. Following a disappointing last-place result the season before, the victory was particularly noteworthy.
2025–26: Hobart Hurricanes Women
In a commanding performance at the Bellerive Oval, the Hobart Hurricanes Women clinched their first WBBL title by defeating the Perth Scorchers Women by eight wickets in the final of the 2025 Women’s Big Bash League. After the Scorchers posted 137/5 batting first, the Hurricanes’ bowlers kept the pressure on throughout, paving the way for a clinical chase.
Lizelle Lee starred with a brilliant unbeaten 77 off 44 balls, steering her side to 141/2 in just 15 overs and earning Player of the Match honours with a dominant batting display. This triumph marked a historic milestone for the Hurricanes, who finished the season strong and lifted the trophy with a comprehensive victory.
Most Successful Teams of WBBL
With two WBBL titles, the Sydney Sixers, Sydney Thunder, Brisbane Heat, and Adelaide Strikers are the most successful teams in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). The Adelaide Strikers, Sydney Sixers, and Brisbane Heat have all won consecutive championships. These teams have set high standards in women’s franchise cricket, combining top international talent with emerging Australian players.
Conclusion: A Decade of Excellence and What Lies Ahead for the WBBL
The Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), which provides a stage for talent, competitiveness, and entertainment, has been instrumental in advancing women’s cricket. Young female cricket players throughout the world are still motivated by the WBBL, which promotes equality and a love of the game. In the first season, Grace Harris, a gifted Australian all-rounder, scored the league’s first-ever century, adding even more excitement. From Meg Lanning’s early genius to Ash Barty’s brief but unforgettable tenure, the league has witnessed some amazing talent. In mid-2016, Indian cricketer Harmanpreet Kaur became the first Indian player to join the Sydney Thunder, making it a memorable milestone.
Fans are looking forward to the 2025–26 season, which begins on December 14, to see which team will write the next chapter in WBBL history as the battle gets more intense every year.