As the T20I world cup got over in Caribbean, now the focus shifts towards Australia for the biggest t20 league in women’s Cricket.
This year its going to be the fourth edition of WBBL. As Australia won the T20 world cup & with the top players from the top international teams being available, the tournament is going to be bigger & better, definitely a treat for cricket lovers.
This is the last WBBL season to overlap with the men’s Big Bash League. From next year, the women’s league will be held in its own window at the start of the summer.
The Sydney Sixers are the defending champions. They have won the title twice in this league.
Coming to the squads, there have been quite a few changes, new signings and injuries. Among them, Smriti Mandhana signing for Hobart Hurricanes, Amy Ellen Jones for the Perth scorchers, Sune Luus for Brisbane heat are the prominent one’s.
Southern stars captain Meg Lanning (PS) and England Women captain Heather knight (HH) who sadly missed out the last season due to injuries are fit and ready to play.
Here are the squads of all the teams:
Adelaide Strikers
Current squad: Suzie Bates (NZ), Samantha Betts, Sarah Coyte, Sophie Devine (NZ), Eliza Doddrige, Ellen Falconer, Danielle Hazell (ENG), Tahlia McGrath, Tegan McPharlin, Bridget Patterson, Katelyn Pope, Alexandra Price, Tabatha Saville, Megan Schutt (AUS), Amanda-Jade Wellington (AUS).
Brisbane Heat
Current squad: Jemma Barsby, Haidee Birkett, Josie Dooley, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Jess Jonassen (AUS), Delissa Kimmince, Charli Knott, Sune Luus (SA), Beth Mooney (AUS), Georgia Prestwidge, Kirby Short, Courtney Sippel, Lauara Wolvaardt (SA).
Hobart Hurricanes
Current squad: Stefanie Daffara, Ashley Day, Erin Fazackerley, Katelyn Fryett, Corinne Hall, Brooke Hepburn, Heather Knight (ENG), Smriti Mandhana (IND), Hayley Matthews (WI), Sasha Moloney (c), Rhiann O’Donnell, Meg Phillips, Veronica Pyke, Georgia Redmayne, Emma Thompson, Alex Hartley (ENG, international replacement).
Melbourne Renegades
Current squad: Maitlan Brown, Zoe Cooke, Jess Duffin, Emma Inglis, Erica Kershaw, Claire Koski, Anna Lanning, Sophie Molineux, Amy Satterthwaite (NZ), Molly Strano, Lea Tahuhu (NZ), Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham, Courtney Webb, Danni Wyatt (ENG).
Melbourne Stars
Current squad: Kristen Beams (AUS), Mackinlay Blows, Elly Donald, Mignon du Preez (SA), Georgia Elwiss (ENG), Nicole Faltum, Holly Ferling, Nicola Hancock, Alana King, Lizelle Lee (SA), Katie Mack, Erin Osborne, Chloe Rafferty, Ange Reakes, Annabel Sutherland.
Perth Scorchers
Current squad: Megan Banting, Nicole Bolton (AUS), Mathilda Carmichael, Piepa Cleary, Kate Cross (ENG), Lauren Ebsary, Heather Graham, Amy Jones (ENG), Emma King, Meg Lanning (AUS), Taneale Peschel, Chloe Piparo, Emily Smith, Elyse Villani (AUS)
Sydney Sixers
Current squad: Sarah Aley, Erin Burns, Stella Campbell, Lauren Cheatle (AUS), Ashleigh Gardner (AUS), Alyssa Healy (AUS), Clara Iemma, Marizanne Kapp (SA), Carly Leeson, Sara McGlashan (NZ), Ellyse Perry (AUS), Hayley Silver-Holmes, Lauren Smith, Dane van Niekerk (SA), Tahlia Wilson.
Sydney Thunder
Current squad: Sam Bates, Alex Blackwell (AUS), Nicola Carey, Hannah Darlington, Rene Farrell, Maisy Gibson, Lisa Griffith, Rachael Haynes, Saskia Horley, Harmanpreet Kaur (IND), Rachel Priest (NZ), Naomi Stalenberg, Stafanie Taylor (WI), Rachel Trenaman, Belinda Vakarewa.
Though all the teams are balanced.
Sydney sixers, Perth scorchers & Adelaide strikers will start as the favourites to win the title.