The recently concluded Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) season 11 saw Hobart Hurricanes clinch their maiden title, defeating Perth Scorchers by eight wickets. It was a historic moment for the club. More importantly, it marked a fairytale ending for captain Elyse Villani’s remarkable 11-year WBBL journey.
Moments after lifting the trophy, Villani announced her retirement from the competition, describing it as a “fairytale ending”. Speaking on Channel Seven, she said: “It’s a fairytale ending and in elite sport it’s very rare to have that. It has been playing on the back of my mind this season and I was hoping this could be the way it finished. I was 80 per cent sure this was the way it was going to go, but as soon as we won, I knew this was the moment.”
Villani had been chasing this title for a long time. This was not her first brush with destiny. It was her fourth WBBL final. She had earlier played two finals with Perth Scorchers in 2017 and 2018, and one with Melbourne Stars in 2020, all ending in heartbreak. This time, she finally crossed the line. Even as a captain, this was not her first final, having led the Scorchers in 2018.
Some journeys do not always get the limelight they deserve, and Villani’s is one such story. Having played 99 international matches for Australia, 64 WT20Is, 32 WODIs and three WTests, she scored 2044 runs and picked up seven wickets in WODIs. She was also part of three T20 World Cup-winning squads. In domestic cricket, her consistency stood out, winning three 50-over titles with Tasmania.
For the 36-year-old, much of her career unfolded in an era dominated by generational greats such as Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy, making it difficult to cement a permanent spot. Injuries, as with most long careers, also played their part. Yet, Villani continued to contribute whenever called upon.
Across 11 WBBL seasons, she displayed admirable consistency. Representing three franchises, Villani scored 3841 runs in 143 innings at an average of 32.27 and a strike rate of 115.20, including 25 fifties and one century. With the ball, she took three wickets, bowling in just two seasons. Even in her final campaign, she led from the front, scoring crucial runs. She finished the season with 146 runs in eight innings at an average of 48.66 and a strike rate of 150.51, her best WBBL season in terms of both average and strike rate.
This WBBL title was the missing piece of her puzzle. At last, it was complete. Villani has confirmed she will remain associated with the Hurricanes in a different role and will continue playing the 50-over format for Tasmania.
She said: “I want to help set Hobart Hurricanes up for sustainable success. We’ve got a really good mix of experience and youth, and it’s important to keep giving those opportunities to younger players so we can build something long-term. I’ll still be around, just not in a playing capacity for the Hurricanes.”
She added: “I’ll take a bit longer to work out what’s next. I think it’s still possible for me to play in the 50-over format, but in the T20 format the timing just felt right.”
The year 2025 has seen several long-running sporting narratives finally find closure. Football club Tottenham Hotspur ended a prolonged trophy drought, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifted their maiden IPL title after 18 years. As the year draws to a close, Hobart Hurricanes lifting their first WBBL trophy under Villani’s leadership felt like the final masterstroke.
It was truly a fairytale ending. Few players get the chance to walk away at the top. Fewer still have the courage to choose that moment. Elyse Villani did. Her career, built on grit, passion, discipline and consistency, will remain an enduring source of inspiration.
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