WBBL08 match preview: Brisbane Heat v Hobart Hurricanes

Key match-ups, analysis, form, team news, weather forecast, tickets, TV and streaming information, odds, predictions and more ahead of the latest encounter in the 2022 Weber WBBL

What's the match?

Brisbane Heat take on Hobart Hurricanes in match 41 of the WBBL; the eighth edition of the tournament.

When is it taking place?

The game is scheduled to start at 6pm local time (7am BST) on Saturday, November 12.

Where is the match being played?

The game will be played in Adelaide at the Karen Rolton Oval.

Who's got the form?

Hobart Hurricanes are a side on the rise. After beating Adelaide Strikers by 23 runs, Elyse Villani's side have won back-to-back matches for the first time this season and three of their past four. They now sit fourth in the table, just three points behind first-placed Brisbane Heat.

Speaking of the Heat, they are also on something of a hot streak and come into the match off the back of a three-match winning run of their own.

Little separated the two sides when they met earlier in November, with the Heat taking a four-wicket win with two balls to spare after a blistering half-century (68 off 29) from Laura Harris.

Brisbane Heat will be without leading run-scorer Georgia Redmayne (hamstring) but can bank on Georgia Voll, Grace Harris and Amelia Kerr for runs. Jess Jonassen, Nicola Hancock (both 17 wickets) and Amelia Kerr (14 wickets) have dominated with the ball while Jess Kerr (four wickets in three matches) returns.

For Hobart, Heather Graham continues to impress with the bat, scoring 206 runs at a strike rate of 124.09 while Villani is coming into form, posting back-to-back knocks of 41 and 47 after enduring a lean first half of the campaign. Molly Strano (14 wickets), Maisy Gibson (10 wickets) and Nicola Carey (8 wickets) are the main threats with the ball.

^{Heather Graham is a player to watch for Hobart Hurricanes [Sarah Reed/Getty Images]}

What's the key match-up?

It's time for round two of Nicola Carey versus Laura Harris, a match-up which was won in resounding fashion by Harris earlier in the tournament. During her destructive knock of 68 not out, Harris struck nine fours and three sixes, eight of which came against Carey. Should the two meet again, it will be interesting to see how Carey's nerves hold up.

Brisbane Heat have to deal with the absence of Redmayne, which is a blow to their batting, while Hobart Hurricanes are experiencing something of a batting revival, with both Villani and Graham showing form in recent matches and Mignon du Preez, Lizelle Lee and Carey showing flashes of their best at various points.

When they met in Hobart, they posted - and nearly defended - 164 despite both Villani and Lee departing for single figure knocks and Graham contributing just 11 runs. If a couple of batters can fire for Hurricanes, they might be too hot for the Heat to handle.

What's the weather forecast?

Light showers could prevent any play from getting underway.

What is the team news?

Georgia Redmayne (hamstring) is absent for Brisbane Heat while Zoe Cooke is also injured. Mikayla Hinkley and Grace Parsons have been added to the squad while Ellie Johnston is set to take the gloves. Jess Kerr has joined the squad as a replacement for Pooja Vastrakar, who has returned to India.

Hobart Hurricanes have no new availability news.

^{Laura Harris (centre) demolished Hobart Hurricanes earlier in November [Steve Bell/Getty Images]}

What are the squads?

Brisbane Heat: Jess Jonassen, Zoe Cooke (injured, replaced by Lucy Hamilton), Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Mikayla Hinkley, Ellie Johnston, Amelia Kerr, Charli Knott, Grace Parsons, Georgia Redmayne, Courtney Sippel, Georgia Voll, Pooja Vastrakar (unavailable), Danni Wyatt, Jess Kerr

Hobart Hurricanes: Nicola Carey, Julia Cavanough, Mignon du Preez, Maisy Gibson, Heather Graham, Ruth Johnston, Lizelle Lee, Emma Manix-Geeves, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Amy Smith, Naomi Stalenberg, Molly Strano, Rachel Trenaman, Elyse Villani, Issy Wong (injured, replaced by Hayley Jensen)

What are the possible starting XIs?

Brisbane Heat: Danni Wyatt, Ellie Johnston, Grace Harris, Georgia Voll, Amelia Kerr, Laura Harris, Charli Knott, Jess Jonassen, Jess Kerr, Nicola Hancock, Courtney Grace Sippel

Hobart Hurricanes: Lizelle Lee, Elyse Villani, Mignon du Preez, Heather Graham, Nicola Carey, Ruth Johnston, Naomi Stalenberg, Hayley Jensen, Maisy Gibson, Amy Smith, Molly Strano

What are the odds?

Coming soon.

What's the prediction?

Almost too close to call. Brisbane Heat are in form while Hobart Hurricanes are just beginning to motor. Based solely on the absence of Georgia Redmayne, Hurricanes win.

Are tickets available?

Yes. Tickets are available via Ticketek.

Where can I watch the game?

Sky Sports holds the UK rights for the WBBL. This game will be shown on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event.

In Australia, fans will be able to watch all 59 matches in the WBBL live and free on either the Seven Network or cricket.com.au

A total of 24 games will be televised on free-to-air on Seven and simulcast on Foxtel and Kayo, while the remaining 35 games will be shown on Foxtel and Kayo Sports and also live-streamed for free on cricket.com.au.