The English duo had an imposing task, coming together at 1-0 in pursuit of the Adelaide Strikers’ 153 after opener Sophie Molineux was dismissed on the opening ball of the run chase.
After several overs building a rhythm through clever batting and whippet-like running between the wickets, Wyatt put the foot down in the ninth over, taking three fours off Amanda Wellington to up the run rate and shift the pressure back onto the Strikers.
She brought up her half century in the next over with another boundary off Stafanie Taylor and looked set to threaten triple figures before she was caught on the boundary off Sophie Devine for 61 from just 37 deliveries.
Beaumont, too, batted beautifully, providing the perfect contrast for Wyatt’s big hitting by working the ball around the field and maintaining the tempo of the innings.
She looked like she was set to unleash as the run chase moved into its final five overs, only to fall LBW to former Strikers’ teammate Suzie Bates for 41 from 44 balls.
Wyatt and Beaumont have 313 England caps between them, and Renegades fans will be hoping they can add a splash of red and black to their trophy cabinets before the year is out.
How did the Strikers get away from us early on?
The answer is simple: Sophie Devine.
The opener flayed the Renegades’ bowlers to all corners of Karen Rolton Oval, racing to 48 from 30 balls in no time.
In fact, with Devine at the crease, the match was rapidly getting away from the ‘Gades, only for off-spinner Molly Strano to strike, having Devine well caught on the boundary by a diving Claire Koski.
Devine finished the round of matches with 120 runs from two innings. She will certainly be must-watch viewing this season.
Q: What's the best way to slow the run rate in T20 cricket?
%E2%80%94 Renegades WBBL (@RenegadesWBBL) October 20, 2019
A: Wickets.
Exhibit A: @MollyStrano + @ckoski55 pic.twitter.com/0R2ELSz5x0
Who led the middle overs fightback?
Once Strano claimed Devine, the Renegades had themselves an opening.
Leg-spinner Georgia Wareham chipped in with a caught-and-bowled one over later, ending Bates’ innings on 24 (30 balls).
The spinners managed to keep the brakes on for the majority of their spells, before Maitlan Brown (2-20) closed the innings with some clever yorkers, collecting two wickets in the final over as her reward.
BOOM. A first ball four for @ckoski55. Easy as you like #GETONRED pic.twitter.com/r7iuhwIRqo
%E2%80%94 Renegades WBBL (@RenegadesWBBL) October 20, 2019
Calm when it counts
It’s no surprise that the two batters who shone in Saturday’s loss stood tall when the going got tough on Sunday.
Captain Jess Duffin, fresh from making 44 in defeat a day earlier, strode to the crease with five overs to go and 38 runs required.
Her response? A four off just her second ball and three fours on the spin an over later to bring the Renegades to the edge of victory.
While she was out at the start of the penultimate over (26 off 15 balls), it mattered little as Josie Dooley, her partner from the day prior, coolly crafted seven runs from her three deliveries to seal a memorable win on the road for the ‘Gades.
Cool, calm + collected in just her 10th @WBBL match #GETONRED https://t.co/6BYB8vU33h
%E2%80%94 Renegades WBBL (@RenegadesWBBL) October 20, 2019
Got a curious fact for us?
Danni Wyatt had made her fourth WBBL half century and looked a certainty to make her highest score in her four seasons in the competition… until she was caught on the boundary for 61.
Unfortunately, it meant she fell one run short of her highest WBBL score of 62 against – you guessed it – the Adelaide Strikers in December last year.
37 balls.
%E2%80%94 Renegades WBBL (@RenegadesWBBL) October 20, 2019
10 fours.
61 runs.
This was the shot that took @Danni_Wyatt to her half century #GETONRED pic.twitter.com/YkvahV0Bzt
What comes next
The Renegades will return to Melbourne with a smile and their first win under the belts for WBBL|05, but with little time to spare.
Their next encounter will be against the Perth Scorchers at the CitiPower Centre on Wednesday 23 October at 1pm.
61 off 37. All hail @Danni_Wyatt #GETONRED pic.twitter.com/znby5Qaxh1
%E2%80%94 Renegades WBBL (@RenegadesWBBL) October 20, 2019