WOMEN'S BIG BASH: All you need to know ahead of the new season

The premier women’s domestic T20 tournament starts on Saturday, December 1, and The Cricketer is here to make sure you have the all the important information ahead of the first match of the competition…

What is the competition?

The Women’s Big Bash is the Australian women’s city-based franchise 20-over-a-side competition.

When does it take place?

The competition starts on December 1, and the final is scheduled to take place on January 26.

^{The Sydney Sixers are the defending champions}

Who is involved?

Eight different franchise teams based at cities around Australia. These are paired with the teams that play in the men’s equivalent, the Big Bash:

Adelaide Strikers
Brisbane Heat
Hobart Hurricanes
Melbourne Renegades
Melbourne Stars
Perth Scorchers
Sydney Sixers
Sydney Thunder

For a comprehensive preview of all the teams taking part, follow the link below.

WOMEN'S BIG BASH TEAM-BY-TEAM GUIDE

What format does it follow?

The Women’s Big Bash follows the standard women’s T20 format, with bowlers allowed a maximum of four overs each. The first six overs of both innings are powerplays, which means no more than two fielders are allowed outside the 25-yard inner circle.

If a no ball is bowled, the batting side is awarded one run, and will also be given the chance of a free hit where they can only be dismissed via run out.

How can I follow it?

You can watch live Women’s Big Bash action on television via BT Sport 1 (Sky: 867, Virgin: 527, BT: 408, Plusnet: 408, TalkTalk: 408). Their coverage begins on 1 December with Perth Scorchers v Hobart Hurricanes.

You can listen to matches live on BBC Radio Sports 5 Live Extra, or through the BBC Sport app.

WOMEN'S BIG BASH SCHEDULE

Who are the favourites?

The defending champions the Sydney Sixers were utterly dominant as they romped their way to the 2017/18 title, and look a very good bet to defend their crown.

Australia were by far in a way the best team at the ICC Women’s World T20, and much of that was due to the performances of three Sixers players – Ellyse Perry, Allysa Healy and Amy Gardner.

Captain Perry was the leading run-scorer in the tournament last year, but the emergence of Healy as the most dominant batter in women’s cricket at the World T20 means they look even more dangerous.

The Perth Scorchers were without Meg Lanning last year and yet still managed to make it to the final, though they have lost Katherine Brunt. Should Lanning perform as well as she can, then they may cause even more problems.