The 5th season of Women’s Big Bash League will be commencing from the 18th of this month with a Sydney derby.
Preview: Sydney Sixers
Though there are 7 other teams in the WBBL when people speak about this tournament, it always starts with Sydney Sixers. Yes, they are the most consistent team in the tournament and also a team with a lot of star-studded players.
Last season they finished as the runner-up. Coming to this season, they again start as favorites and will give their best shot to become the champions again.
Team news:
The team is filled with a lot of International Stars. It starts with the skipper Elyse Perry followed by Healy, Gardener and Erin Burns, etc.
The African duo of Dane Vane Niekerk and Marizanne Kapp will continue to be overseas Internationals of the squad, both these all-rounders have played an important role in the past seasons.
Coming to the youngsters, the Sixers have included five young and talented youngsters Maddy Darke, Emma Hughes, Stella Campbell, Alisha Burns, and Hayley Silver-Holmes. All these five may not play at the same time in the 11. Everyone will get a chance to perform and prove their best.
Key players:
Batting –
E Perry and Healy- A lot depends on this pair if the Sixers need to clinch the title. Healy will lead the batting department, whereas Perry is Allrounder and Captain of the team. Gardener, Burns, Vane Niekerk and Kapp etc can win matches on their own with bat.
Bowling –
Coming to bowling, the team is well balanced with a lot of All-Rounders, which includes both quick bowlers as well as spinners. The African duo of Kapp and Van Niekerk will lead the bowling attack. Senior pro-Sarah Aley and young Lauren Cheatle will add a lot in the squad.
Players to watch :
Gardener and Burns – Both these players are excellent hitters of the cricket ball and they can bowl a full quota of off-spin bowling too. They can change the fortunes of the game quickly. The only problem with them is Temperament. If they deal with it perfectly, they gonna be the biggest threat to other teams.
On the whole, Sydney Sixers look very strong on the paper and looks like they will qualify for semis with ease.
Captain: Ellyse Perry.
Overseas players: M Kapp, Vane Niekerk
Coach: Ben Sawyer
Full Squad:
Sarah Aley, Alisha Bates, Erin Burns, Stella Campbell, Lauren Cheatle, Maddy Darke, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jodie Hicks, Emma Hughes, Marizanne Kapp (SA), Ellyse Perry (C), Hayley Silver-Holmes, Dane van Niekerk (SA), Lauren Smith
In: Maddy Darke, Emma Hughes, Stella Campbell, Alisha Burns
Out: Sara McGlashan (retired), Tahlia Wilson (Thunder), Carly Leeson (Renegades), Clara Iemma.
Fixtures: Sydney Sixers –
October 18 v Thunder, North Sydney Oval (7.40 pm)
October 19 v Heat, North Sydney Oval (7.10 pm)
October 26 v Stars, Hurstville Oval (2 pm)
November 2 v Renegades, WACA (12.10 pm)
November 3 v Stars, WACA (11.10 am)
November 9 v Heat, North Sydney Oval (3 pm)
November 13 v Hurricanes, Invermay Park, Launceston (11 am)
November 15 v Thunder, Drummoyne Oval (7.10 pm)
November 17 v Renegades, Drummoyne Oval (2.10 pm)
November 20 v Hurricanes, North Sydney Oval (5.30 pm)
November 23 v Scorchers, Lilac Hill, Perth (10 am)
November 24 v Scorchers, Lilac Hill, Perth (10 am)
November 30 v Strikers, Hurstville Oval (2 pm)
December 1 v Strikers, Hurstville Oval (2 pm)
WBBL performance:
2015: Runners up
2016: Winners
2017: Winners
2018: Runners up