There is a distinct air of fresh starts heading into this Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 12 opener, with both franchises eager to erase the frustrations of missing out on finals cricket last summer. Under the captaincy of Sophie Molineux, the Melbourne Renegades enter boasting plenty of firepower. The return of West Indian star Hayley Matthews—who missed last season due to shoulder surgery—is a massive shot in the arm alongside Deandra Dottin’s boundary-clearing muscle. On the other side, Sydney Thunder looks leaner and meaner under Phoebe Litchfield. With Heather Knight bringing her veteran composure back into the middle order and the fresh international pace of England’s Lauren Bell in their ranks, the Thunder have bolstered the precise areas that let them down in clutch moments last season.
Squads:
Melbourne Renegades Women’s Cricket Team
Sophie Molineux (C), Deandra Dottin*, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Milly Illingworth, Sara Kennedy, Hayley Matthews*, Sophie Molineux, Olivia Porter, Sophie Reid, Chloe Tyron*, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham, Courtney Webb, Annie Wikman
Sydney Thunder Women’s Cricket Team
Phoebe Litchfield (C), Jemma Barsby, Sam Bates, Lauren Bell*, Hannah Darlington, Nadine de Klerk*, Lucy Finn, Hasrat Gill, Nicola Hancock, Laura Harris, Heather Knight*, Anika Learoyd, Georgia Voll, Tahlia Wilson
Players to watch out:
Sophie Molineux
Sophie Molineux has been a core all-rounder for the Melbourne Renegades, turning in solid performances across 112 WBBL appearances. With the ball, she has taken 97 wickets across 107 innings at an economy rate of 6.74, averaging 24.17 with a best spell of 4/17 and four four-wicket hauls to her name. She is equally valuable with the bat, scoring 1742 runs in 101 innings at an average of 20.73 and a strike rate of 106.21. Her highest score stands at an unbeaten 78, anchored by 8 half-centuries, 217 boundary fours, and 20 sixes, alongside 42 catches taken in the field.
Deandra Dottin
Representing four different franchises across her 66 WBBL matches, Deandra Dottin brings dynamic power to both facets of the game. Out in the middle, she has scored 1018 runs in 60 innings at an average of 19.96 and a strike rate of 111.37, recording the highest of 68 and hitting 5 half-centuries, 118 fours, and 28 sixes. On the bowling front, Dottin has bowled in 64 innings, picking up 47 wickets at an average of 29.06 and an economy rate of 7.34, with the best figures of 3/20, to go along with 20 fielding catches.
Phoebe Litchfield
Phoebe Litchfield has grown into a reliable middle-order force for the Sydney Thunder, appearing in 89 WBBL matches. Across 85 innings, she has accumulated 1825 runs at an average of 26.07 and a strike rate of 120.06, with a top score of 68. She has brought up 8 fifties in the competition, cracking 220 fours and 31 sixes along the way, while showing safe hands in the outfield with 44 catches.
Heather Knight
Heather Knight has proven to be a top-tier all-rounder across her 101 WBBL games representing two franchises. She has racked up 2510 runs in 95 innings at a healthy average of 30.24 and a strike rate of 115.88, topped by the best score of 83. Her batting tally includes 16 half-centuries, 272 fours, and 39 sixes. With the ball, Knight has chipped in heavily across 70 innings, taking 54 wickets at an average of 24.96 and an economy rate of 6.94—with personal best figures of 3/4—and has held onto 43 catches.
Pitch:
The pitch at Junction Oval generally offers a balanced contest between bat and ball, featuring an even bounce that allows stroke-makers to play their shots freely once they settle in. While it tends to be a true track that rewards good technique, it also offers enough assistance for pacers early on and brings spinners into play as the game progresses.
Weather:
The conditions are expected to be fairly pleasant with partly cloudy skies and comfortable temperatures reaching a high of around 19 degrees Celsius. There will be a mild breeze moving through the area, and the overall chance of any major rain disruption remains quite low.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Sophie Molineux, Deandra Dottin, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Milly Illingworth, Hayley Matthews, Phoebe Litchfield, Jemma Barsby, Sam Bates, Lauren Bell, Hannah Darlington
Match Details:
Date – October 29, 2026
Time – 10:10 AM IST
Venue – Junction Oval, Melbourne
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the JioStar app and website.