The Women’s Big Bash League 2025 continues its electrifying opening week with Match 4 featuring Melbourne Stars and Adelaide Strikers at the picturesque Junction Oval, Melbourne, on 10th November, starting at 9:40 AM IST.
The Stars, led by the dynamic Annabel Sutherland, are still in pursuit of their maiden WBBL crown, while the Strikers, under Tahlia McGrath’s sharp leadership, arrive as two-time champions, having lifted the title in back-to-back seasons (2022–23 and 2023–24). This face-off sets the tone early in the 11th edition of the league, running from 9th November to 13th December 2025, where every team is battling to establish early dominance in what promises to be another tightly contested tournament.
The opening day already served a taste of the season’s intensity, with the Renegades overcoming the Heat by 7 wickets in a rain-curtailed opener, Hobart Hurricanes chasing down the Sydney Thunder by 6 wickets, and the newly captained Sydney Sixers, under Ashleigh Gardner, storming to a record 10-wicket win over Perth Scorchers. As the spotlight shifts to Junction Oval, WBBL fans can expect a thrilling clash between Sutherland’s youthful energy and McGrath’s tactical mastery, making this match one to mark on the viewing calendar.
Squads:
Adelaide Strikers:
Tahlia McGrath ©, Jemma Barsby, Tammy Beaumont, Darcie Brown, Sophie Ecclestone, Ellie Johnston, Eleanor Larosa, Anesu Mushangwe, Bridget Patterson, Maddie Penna, Megan Schutt, Tabatha Saville, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Ella Wilson, and Laura Wolvaardt.
Melbourne Stars:
Annabel Sutherland ©, Meg Lanning, Sophie Day, Kim Garth, Dani Gibson, Maisy Gibson, Ella Hayward, Amy Jones, Marizanne Kapp, Rhys McKenna, Ines McKeon, Sasha Moloney, Indigo Noble, Georgia Prestwidge, and Sophie Reid.
Players to Watch Out For.
Marizanne Kapp (Melbourne Stars):
In the WBBL over the years, she has scored 1,361 runs at an average of 19.16 and a strike rate of 106.74, including five half-centuries in 93 innings with the bat for her side over the years in the tournament. She has also picked up 133 wickets at an average of 20.32 and an economy of 5.6,1, including three four-wicket hauls in 130 innings with the ball for her side in the tournament. The South African all-rounder is poised to play a vital role with the ball in the powerplay as well as in the death overs for her side this season.
Annabel Sutherland (Melbourne Stars):
The Melbourne Stars skipper has scored 1,332 runs at a strike rate of 104.71 and an average of 19.58 in 83 innings, including three half-centuries with the bat for her side over the years in the tournament. She has also picked up 89 wickets at an average of 23.15 and an economy of 7.18, including three four-wicket hauls with the ball in 91 innings, and 99 matches in the tournament so far. The Stars skipper has a massive responsibility to lead from the front in all aspects for her side this season.
Sophie Ecclestone (Adelaide Strikers):
She has picked up 31 wickets at an average of 18.25 and an economy of 6.67 in 22 innings, including one four-wicket haul in 22 matches. She has also scored 165 runs in 14 innings with the bat for her side in the tournament so far. She is yet again going to be a vital asset in the bowling department for the Strikers.
Laura Wolvaardt (Adelaide Strikers):
The South African skipper has scored 1,825 runs at a strike rate of 109.74 and an average of 24.66 in 85 innings, including 8 half-centuries for her side in the tournament over the years. She is poised to play a vital role at the top of the order in the batting department for the Adelaide Strikers.
Pitch Report:
It is a good batting pitch, with a lot more assistance for the spinners as compared to the pacers. Spinners have 37 wickets in the bank at this venue. The average total at this venue is 142.
Weather Report:
The weather at Junction Oval, St Kilda, on Monday is expected to be mild with light rain throughout the day. Temperatures will hover around 18°C, with a 35% chance of precipitation, moderate humidity at 60%, and winds blowing at 19 km/h. While brief showers may interrupt play, conditions remain favourable for an exciting contest.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Amy Jones (wk), Laura Wolvaardt, Meg Lanning, Annabel Sutherland, Marizanne Kapp, Tahlia McGrath, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Megan Schutt, Sophie Ecclestone, Darcie Brown, and Kim Garth.
Match Details:
Date: 10th November 2025.
Time: 9:40 AM IST.
Venue: Junction Oval, Melbourne.
Broadcast: Cricket fans in India can catch the live action of the Women’s Big Bash League 2025, Match 4 between Melbourne Stars and Adelaide Strikers, on the Star Sports Network. For those preferring to stream on the go, the match will be available live on Jio Hotstar, ensuring viewers don’t miss a moment of the excitement from Junction Oval, Melbourne.
I am Yash Tailor, and I believe work should be driven by passion. Therefore, after completing my Engineering, I chose to work in the Cricket industry, my passion. My goal is to reach a stage where I truly enjoy what I do and give my best to every task with energy and purpose.