Today at the WBBL: Stars can extend lead at top with win over Thunder, Scorchers look to make it three in a row

Melbourne Stars can go five points clear with a win over their closest rivals, Scorchers are starting to rally, can Adelaide Strikers do the double over Brisbane Heat?

Who’s playing?

Game one: Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Renegades

Game two: Adelaide Strikers v Brisbane Heat

Game three: Hobart Hurricanes v Sydney Sixers

Game four: Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Stars

Perth Scorchers are a team that you mustn’t take your eyes off. They are starting to rally having won their last two matches, both against a strong Sydney Sixers outfit. Captain Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney have been integral to the good run of form; Devine with a century and Mooney with two half-centuries.

Melbourne Renegades meanwhile, are struggling to gather any momentum. With the news that their top run scorer Georgia Wareham will miss the rest of the competition, things seem to have gone from bad to worse. However, they are hoping that that New Zealand international Lea Tahuhu will be fit.

Adelaide Strikers take on Brisbane Heat in a repeat of last year’s final. Suzie Bates and her team won the reverse fixture earlier in the year by 18 runs. Strikers are hard to predict as they have struggled to go on a run and solidify their places in the top four as they chase a semi-final place. Laura Wolvaardt has impressed for the Strikers this year.

Both Georgia Redmayne and Grace Harris are starting to find form, sparking some hope for Brisbane Heat that they can reach the semi-finals. Redmayne scored 59 in the last match as they stunned Sydney Thunder, beating them by eight wickets.

_{Grace Harris has scored 164 runs in seven matches so far}

Sydney Sixers will be looking to return to winning ways, having lost back-to-back matches to Perth Scorchers. At one point, it was looking like Ellyse Perry and her team were almost guaranteed a place in the semi-finals. However, the recent slump now means that nothing can be taken for granted.

Hobart Hurricanes received a morale boost after overcoming Melbourne Renegades last time out. Although, a win by itself counts for little if it can’t be backed up. They’ll be feeling confident going into this one and have every chance of defeating Sixers given their dip in performance.

Sydney Thunder’s match against Melbourne Stars is a huge fixture. Stars could go five points clear at the top of the table, meaning that it will be an uphill task for Rachael Haynes and co. to catch them. Stars are looking a formidable force having won five games in a row and are looking to make it six; with Meg Lanning, Elyse Villani and Nat Sciver at their disposal, Thunder will need a serious game plan to topple them.

Who to look out for?

Georgia Redmayne is an exciting talent and one to keep an eye on as Brisbane look to overcome Adelaide. Redmayne has already scored 184 runs at a touch under 37. She’s struck two fifties and 24 boundaries in the competition so far.

Hurricanes’ Nicola Carey has delivered with the ball so far for her side, claiming seven scalps at 18.28 including best figures of 3-14. Her teammate Hayley Mathews is the team’s leading wicket taker, having taken nine in seven matches.

England and Sydney Thunder star Tammy Beaumont has struggled so far, but there is surely one big innings to come. On her day, she can be extremely dangerous and take the game away from her opponents. With only 81 runs in eight game she is due a break. Can it come in the crunch match against Melbourne Stars?

_{Georgia Redmayne has found form for her new team}

Predictions

Perth Scorchers to edge Melbourne Renegades

Adelaide to narrowly get past Brisbane Heat

Sydney Sixers to defeat Hobart Hurricanes

Melbourne Stars to beat Sydney Thunder in last over thriller

Where can I watch?

In Australia, Kayo Sports are showing all 59 matches through their streaming service. Remaining games are accessible either through Channel 7, Fox Cricket or cricket.com.au. 

UK broadcasters BT Sport 3 are showing Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Renegades from 1am, Hobart Hurricanes v Sydney Sixers from 4.30am and Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Stars from 8am.

BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra will have coverage of Hobart Hurricanes v Sydney Sixers from 5.30am.

What’s the weather looking like?

A glorious day is expected in Sydney with sunshine and highs of 24 degrees.