Global stars will converge on Australia in mid-October for the world's premier women’s T20 franchise competition. Here are the TV times, fixtures, team news, odds and everything else you need to follow it...
The Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) is Australia’s annual domestic 20-over competition, with a double round-robin followed by knockout finals.
It begins on Friday, October 18, and ends with the final on Sunday, December 8.
There are eight franchises involved in the competition – Adelaide Strikers, Brisbane Heat, Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Renegades, Melbourne Stars, Perth Scorchers, Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder.
Each team will face each other twice in a group stage format – once at home and once away. Those finishing in the top four places will continue to the semi-finals, where first plays fourth and second plays third, and the winners contest the final.
WOMEN'S BIG BASH FIXTURES
The controversial boundary countback rule that rocked this year’s Cricket World Cup will not be used after Cricket Australia updated its playing conditions for the coming season.
This year’s World Cup final saw New Zealand and England both score 15 runs in their Super Overs, only for the hosts to be declared the winners via boundary countback — England hit nine more boundaries in the match.
The same rule would have been applied if a similar incident had occurred in past WBBL seasons but now, if scores are level after a Super Over in the regular season, the game will be declared a tie and the points split.
If a finals match finishes with scores tied after a Super Over, then another set of Super Overs will be played and so on until either side wins.
Cricket Australia’s head of Big Bash Leagues Alistair Dobson said: “The Super Over has been a discussion point globally. We hope allowing multiple Super Overs will provide our teams and fans with the best possible experience.”
Otherwise, the WBBL follows the standard T20 format, with bowlers allotted a maximum of four overs each. For any no balls or wides bowled, the batting team will be rewarded with one run, as well as a free hit after no balls.
In each innings the first six overs constitute a powerplay with no more than two fielders allowed outside the 25-yard circle. After the powerplay, a maximum of four fielders are allowed outside the circle.
Ellyse Perry enjoyed a fine season for Sydney Sixers last time out
The WBBL will be broadcast in Australia on TV via Fox Sports, Channel Seven and the Cricket Australia network with 23 of the 59 total games (including the finals games) televised – mostly those on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The first match is the derby between cross-city rivals Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder at the North Sydney Oval at 9.40am BST on Friday, October 8.
In the UK, BT Sport hold the rights to the competition on TV, while BBC Sport have the radio coverage.
Numerous stars from across the globe will appear once again, including home favourites Meg Lanning (Perth Scorchers), record run-scorer Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy (both Sydney Sixers), Beth Mooney (Brisbane Heat) and Elyse Villani (Melbourne Stars).
There is also plenty of English representation – with Heather Knight, Fran Wilson (both Hobart Hurricanes), Tammy Beaumont, Danni Wyatt (both Melbourne Renegades), Amy Jones, Nat Sciver (both Perth Scorchers) and Lauren Winfield (Adelaide Strikers) flying the flag for the Brits.
WOMEN’S BIG BASH LEAGUE SQUADS
Sydney Sixers have made it to the final in each and every tournament since its inception in 2015/16 but lost last year to Brisbane Heat – don’t discount any side with Ellyse Perry though.
Perth Scorchers will be in contention if Meg Lanning can stay fit, while all-round strong side Brisbane will be looking to retain their title.
Most major bookmakers have Sixers as 2/1 favourites, with local rivals Sydney Thunder just behind at 9/2.
Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Renegades are mid-range options at fives, with Perth Scorchers and Adelaide Strikers at around 8/1 and Melbourne Stars and Hobart Hurricanes the outside bets at 9/1.
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