The second leg of Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 12 opening day brings plenty of narrative as Meg Lanning’s Melbourne Stars take on a Hobart Hurricanes outfit that has developed into a genuine title contender. The Stars are looking to shake off a disappointing run from last season, relying on their core strength of Lanning’s tactical sharpness alongside all-round talent Annabel Sutherland. Hobart, meanwhile, arrive with a squad overflowing with match-winners. With Lizelle Lee’s aggressive ball-striking at the top of the order and the tactical smarts of Nicola Carey and Molly Strano in the bowling department, the Hurricanes possess the depth and experience to impose themselves from ball one.
Squads:
Melbourne Stars Women’s Cricket Team
Meg Lanning (C), Sophie Day, Charlie Dean*, Kim Garth, Dani Gibson*, Maisy Gibson, Amy Jones*, Carly Leeson, Rhys McKenna, Indigo Noble, Georgia Prestwidge, Zoe Samuel, Naomi Stalenberg, Annabel Sutherland
Hobart Hurricanes Women’s Cricket Team
Chamari Athapaththu*, Nicola Carey (C), Heather Graham, Ella Hayward, Chinelle Henry*, Ruth Johnston, Lizelle Lee, Kate Pelle, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Amy Smith, Lauren Smith, Linsey Smith*, Molly Strano, Rachel Trenaman, Callie Wilson
Players to watch out:
Meg Lanning
Meg Lanning boasts a stellar WBBL track record across 109 matches for two teams, establishing herself as one of the league’s top run-getters. Scoring 3646 runs in 108 innings at an impressive average of 40.06 and a strike rate of 122.06, she has notched up the best score of 135. Her record features 2 centuries, 34 fifties, 423 boundaries, and 73 sixes, complemented by 44 catches in the field.
Amy Jones
Amy Jones has provided solid lower-middle-order stability and sharp glovework across 82 WBBL matches for four teams. She has compiled 1521 runs in 75 innings, averaging 22.70 at a strike rate of 116.91, featuring the highest score of 80. Jones has logged 7 half-centuries, 163 fours, and 23 sixes, while taking 27 catches and executing 7 stumpings behind the stumps.
Chamari Athapaththu
Chamari Athapaththu has been an impactful top-order batter across her 69 WBBL appearances for three separate teams. In 64 innings, she has generated 1294 runs at an average of 23.10 and a strike rate of 105.63, posting the highest score of 80. Her aggressive style has netted 7 fifties, 158 fours, and 31 sixes, paired with 22 catches in the field.
Lizelle Lee
Lizelle Lee stands out as one of the most explosive openers in WBBL history, turning out in 104 matches across three teams. In 99 innings, she has amassed 2770 runs at an average of 30.10 and a blistering strike rate of 133.55, highlighted by an unbeaten highest score of 150. Her power hitting has produced 5 centuries, 14 half-centuries, 331 fours, and 108 sixes, along with 23 catches.
Pitch:
The pitch at Junction Oval in Melbourne 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:
Meg Lanning, Sophie Day, Charlie Dean*, Kim Garth, Dani Gibson*, Amy Jones*, Chamari Athapaththu*, Nicola Carey, Heather Graham, Ella Hayward
Match Details:
Date – October 29, 2026
Time – 1:40 PM IST
Venue – Junction Oval, Melbourne
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on JioStar app and website.