Young cricket ace Sophie Molineux's teammates think she will play for Australia in a few years' time.
And it would be hard to question their judgment after her star turn in the Renegades' win over the Strikers on Sunday.
Sophie Molineux celebrates after taking the wicket of Tammy Beaumont.Credit:Getty Images
At just 18 years old, the left-arm medium-fast bowler took 4/18, claiming the scalps of Adelaide's first three batters.
Then when some of the Renegades' big hitters again failed to fire, she came in at number five and together with British cricketer Danni Wyatt steered her team to an unlikely victory.
Molineux and Danni Wyatt celebrate victory.Credit:Getty Images
Molineux finished the match with a decisive four, off right-arm medium-pace bowler Tahlia McGrath.
Spinner Molly Strano, like Molineux playing her second season for the Renegades, said she expected big things from her young teammate, who captained the Victorian under-18s and has played for the Australia A team.
"Sophie's such a class player, you sometimes forget that she's only 18," she said.
"She's just going from strength to strength and I can't wait to see her in the green and gold, give her a couple of years and she'll be up there."
Molineux poses with the player of the match award.Credit:Getty Images
Molineux showed impressive composure under pressure at North Sydney Oval.
Opener Grace Harris, generally know for her ability to find boundaries, went out for 10, a second poor performance after she hit a high, wild shot to be caught out for five in the Renegades' first match against the Strikers on Saturday.
Wyatt and Molineux ran hard, making the most of every opportunity, and made 34 and 28 not out to win with just three balls to spare.
The quiet-spoken Molineux showed composure throughout the match, although she said she said had felt nervous.
"The more you do it, the better you get in those situations," she said.
"I'm just starting to understand the calmer you are, the better."
The Renegades were not a highly-rated team before the season began.
They finished last on the ladder last season and have opted to recruit several very young players, including six teenagers this time around, with an eye on a longer-term build.
But now with a win and a close loss against the more fancied Strikers, Molineux said the Renegades were enjoying their underdog status.
The Renegades dumped last year's captain Sarah Elliot ahead of WBBL2, a decision the Victorian batter has admitted caught her by surprise.
Experienced New Zealand wicketkeeper and batter Rachel Priest is skippering the Renegades this time around and while she was quickly dismissed in the team's first match, on Sunday she anchored them with a score of 44, before she was caught by Sophie Devine from an Alex Price ball.
"It was good to see 'Priesty' make some runs out there, she hits the ball so cleanly and showed some great leadership out there," Molineux said.
"Even in the field her decision making was superb, all credit to her."
The Renegades' next match is in Bendigo, where they will play the Hobart Hurricanes on Saturday night.
The Hurricanes were a top team in the first year of WBBL, but in a further sign this season is likely to be close, they enjoyed mixed fortunes on the weekend.
The Tasmanian team showcased excellent fielding and team cohesion when they beat the Perth Scorchers by five wickets on Saturday, with a standout performance by West Indian player Hayley Matthews.
But the Scorchers hit back on Sunday, beating the Hurricanes by 17 runs.
Larissa Nicholson is a journalist at The Age.