Last Updated on 3 years by Charbel Coorey

Cricket News: Record WBBL ratings in another huge win for women’s sport | WBBL07 Final draws in record ratings as Scorchers beat Strikers

In another huge step forward for women’s sport, Saturday’s WBBL 07 Final between Perth Scorchers and Adelaide Strikers drew the highest ratings in WBBL history with 535,000 viewers tuning in across Foxtel and Channel 7.

This eclipsed the previous record of 506,000 for the WBBL 04 Final. However, the key difference that day is that the match was played just before a men’s Test.

Also, the Scorchers won their first ever title in front of the largest WBBL standalone crowd of 15,511, with a great atmosphere at Optus Stadium felt through TV screens and smart devices. This previous best was 10,069 for a Semi Final between Perth Scorchers and Sydney Thunder also at Optus Stadium four years ago.

Record ratings for WBBL across the whole season

It wasn’t just the Final that broke records. The season as a whole was a huge success, with WBBL 07 officially the most watched season ever, with a cumulative average TV audience of 5.36 million viewers.

This is up 15% on last season, with factors such as the increased quality and all 59 matches broadcast key to the result.

Also, fans are responding on streaming platforms, with Foxtel Group’s data indicating a 158% positive shift year-on-year across Foxtel Now, Foxtel Go and Kayo.

Such a result will only see calls grow louder for a women’s IPL. The talent and demand is there, and now is the time for the BCCI to act.

Perth Scorchers win first ever WBBL 07 Title

It was a historic evening in more ways than one. Perth Scorchers won their first ever WBBL Title thanks to a strong all-round display.

Marizanne Kapp, who was reportedly ill all week, produced a superb all-round display of 31* and 1/25 to win player of the match. Skipper and legend Sophie Devine led well in the field, supported brilliantly by Beth Mooney who further justified her number one world ranking with the most runs in the tournament (547).

Despite falling short with the Strikers, Amanda-Jade Wellington enjoyed a fantastic season with 23 scalps – the most of any bowler in WBBL 07 and the equal-fourth most in any season.