Cricket Australia has unveiled the fixtures and venues for the highly anticipated ninth edition of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). The T20 tournament is set to kick off on Thursday, October 19, and promises to be bigger and more exciting than ever before. Notably, the MCG and SCG will host standalone regular season matches for the first time in WBBL history, including the Melbourne Derby on Saturday, November 25, and the Sydney Derby on Sunday, November 26.
With each team playing 14 group stage matches, followed by a three-game finals series culminating in the WBBL Final on Saturday, December 2, fans will have plenty of thrilling cricket action to enjoy. All matches will be available for viewing on Foxtel and the streaming platform Kayo, with an impressive 35 exclusive matches.
The last weekend before the WBBL finals promises to be particularly exhilarating. It will begin with a thrilling doubleheader at Adelaide Oval on Friday, November 24, featuring matches between the Heat and the Thunder, as well as the clash between the Adelaide Strikers and the Perth Scorchers.
👉🏻 Season Opener:
Sydney Sixers 🆚 Melbourne Stars🗓️19th October 2023.
👉🏻 Last league match:
Sydney Sixers 🆚 Sydney Thunders🗓️ 26th November 2023.#CricketTwitter #WBBL09 pic.twitter.com/FvEHWBzJVz
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) July 13, 2023
A highly anticipated Melbourne Derby between the Stars and the Renegades will take place at the iconic MCG on Saturday, November 25. This match holds special significance as it marks the return of WBBL matches to the renowned stadium since the league’s transition to a standalone window in 2019.
On Sunday, November 26, the SCG will host its inaugural standalone WBBL matches. Fans can look forward to the Sydney Sixers and the Thunder battling it out in the thrilling Sydney Smash, while the Hurricanes take on the Strikers on the same day.
Alistair Dobson, CA’s General Manager of Big Bash Leagues, emphasized the importance of scheduling WBBL games at top-tier venues to elevate the competition’s growth. While iconic venues like North Sydney Oval and Allan Border Field remain integral to the WBBL, hosting major events at renowned stadiums adds an extra level of excitement.
Dobson explained that the success of these games will be evaluated through various measures, with crowd attendance being just one aspect. The goal is to create an immersive experience for fans and ensure the long-term success and popularity of the tournament.
The WBBL also coincides with the Men’s World Cup in India, avoiding any clashes with the international home summer. Although a few WBBL matches will overlap with Australia’s group stage fixtures at the ICC event, cricket enthusiasts will have ample opportunities to enjoy both competitions.
Cricket Australia’s new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Australian Cricketers’ Association has resulted in significant improvements for WBBL players. Each club’s annual salary cap has doubled, exceeding $732,000, providing better financial support. Top players can now earn up to $133,000, while the average WBBL player retainer has also doubled, reaching nearly $54,200.
With the new fixtures, venues, and improved financial incentives, the ninth edition of the WBBL is poised to captivate fans, showcase exceptional talent, and further solidify women’s cricket as a prominent force in the sporting world.