The Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) kicks off its highly-anticipated 10th edition on Sunday, October 27, 2024, only a week after the conclusion of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. The tournament will run until December 1, 2024, with the final set to be played at a yet-to-be-confirmed venue.

With 43 matches packed into five weeks, fans can expect a fast-paced, action-filled tournament featuring the best women’s cricket talent from Australia and across the globe. Here’s all what you need to know about WBBL 2024.

 

Format of the WBBL 2024

This year, the WBBL features a revamped format to enhance excitement and attract overseas players.

• Group Stage:
  • Each of the eight teams will play 10 group-stage matches.
  • Teams will face three opponents twice and the remaining sides once.
• Knockout Stage:
  • The top four teams qualify for the playoffs.
  • The 1st-placed team earns direct entry to the final.
  • 3rd vs. 4th will contest the Knockout on November 27, with the winner progressing to the Challenger match on November 29.
  • The 2nd-placed team will await the Knockout winner in the Challenger, with the victor advancing to the final on December 1.

 

WBBL 2024 Teams

The WBBL 2024 season features the same eight teams, each representing a key Australian city. The defending champions, Adelaide Strikers, will be aiming for a third consecutive title. Below are the participating teams:

1. Adelaide Strikers
2. Brisbane Heat
3. Hobart Hurricanes
4. Melbourne Renegades
5. Melbourne Stars
6. Perth Scorchers
7. Sydney Sixers
8. Sydney Thunder

WBBL 2024 Full Squad and Updates

Adelaide Strikers

• Squad:
  Jemma Barsby, Darcie Brown, Maggie Clark, Ellie Johnston, Katie Mack, Eleanor Larosa, Smriti Mandhana, Anesu Mushangwe, Tahlia McGrath, Bridget Patterson, Madeline Penna, Orla Prendergast, Megan Schutt, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Laura Wolvaardt
• In:
  Maggie Clark, Ellie Johnston (Heat), Eleanor Larosa, Smriti Mandhana, Orla Prendergast
• Out:
  Dani Gibson, Georgia Adams (Thunder), Courtney Neale, Annie O’Neil, Ella Wilson

 

Brisbane Heat

• Squad:
  Bonnie Berry, Nadine de Klerk, Sianna Ginger, Lucy Hamilton, Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Jess Jonassen, Charli Knott, Shikha Pandey, Grace Parsons, Georgia Redmayne, Jemimah Rodrigues, Mikayla Wrigley
• In:
  Bonnie Berry, Sianna Ginger, Shikha Pandey, Jemimah Rodrigues, Mikayla Wrigley
• Out:
  Amelia Kerr (Sixers), Georgia Voll (Thunder), Courtney Sippel (Sixers), Ellie Johnston (Strikers)

 

Hobart Hurricanes

• Squad:
  Suzie Bates, Nicola Carey, Zoe Cooke, Heather Graham, Ruth Johnston, Lizelle Lee, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Tabatha Saville, Amy Smith, Lauren Smith, Molly Strano, Rachel Trenaman, Chloe Tryon, Elyse Villani, Callie Wilson, Danni Wyatt
• In:
  Lauren Smith (Thunder), Chloe Tryon, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Suzie Bates
• Out:
  Maisy Gibson (Stars), Shabnim Ismail, Bryony Smith, Naomi Stalenberg (Renegades)

 

Melbourne Renegades

• Squad:
  Alice Capsey, Sarah Coyte, Emma de Broughe, Josie Dooley, Deandra Dottin, Nicole Faltum, Ella Hayward, Milly Illingworth, Hayley Matthews, Sophie Molineux, Georgia Prestwidge, Naomi Stalenberg, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham, Courtney Webb
• In:
  Alice Capsey, Deandra Dottin, Nicole Faltum (Stars), Milly Illingworth (Stars), Naomi Stalenberg (Hurricanes)
• Out:
  Tammy Beaumont, Jess Duffin, Harmanpreet Kaur, Ellen Falconer, Erica Kershaw, Rhiann O’Donnell

 

Melbourne Stars

• Squad:
  Yastika Bhatia, Sophie Day, Tess Flintoff, Kim Garth, Maisy Gibson, Hasrat Gill, Liv Henry, Marizanne Kapp, Meg Lanning, Rhys McKenna, Sasha Moloney, Sophie Reid, Deepti Sharma, Annabel Sutherland
• In:
  Yastika Bhatia, Maisy Gibson (Hurricanes), Marizanne Kapp (Thunder), Deepti Sharma, Hasrat Gill
• Out:
  Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Sophia Dunkley, Nicole Faltum (Renegades), Milly Illingworth (Renegades)

 

Perth Scorchers

• Squad:
  Chloe Ainsworth, Stella Campbell, Piepa Cleary, Maddy Darke, Sophie Devine, D Hemalatha, Amy Edgar, Mikayla Hinkley, Amy Jones, Alana King, Lilly Mills, Beth Mooney, Chloe Piparo
• In:
  D Hemalatha, Mikayla Hinkley (Heat)
• Out:
  Taneale Peschel (Thunder), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Lauren Winfield-Hill

 

Sydney Sixers

• Squad:
  Holly Armitage, Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Mathilda Carmichael, Lauren Cheatle, Sophie Ecclestone, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Amelia Kerr, Isabella Malgioglio, Kate Pelle, Ellyse Perry, Kate Peterson, Courtney Sippel
• In:
  Holly Armitage, Sophie Ecclestone, Amelia Kerr (Heat), Isabella Malgioglio, Courtney Sippel (Heat)
• Out:
  Chloe Tryon, Suzie Bates, Jess Kerr, Lindsey Smith

 

Sydney Thunder

• Squad:
  Georgia Adams, Chamari Athapaththu, Samantha Bates, Hannah Darlington, Sienna Eve, Saskia Horley, Shabnim Ismail, Sammy Jo-Johnson, Heather Knight, Anika Learoyd, Phoebe Litchfield, Claire Moore, Taneale Peschel, Georgia Voll, Tahlia Wilson
• In:
  Georgia Adams, Sienna Eve, Shabnim Ismail, Taneale Peschel (Scorchers), Georgia Voll (Heat)
• Out:
  Lauren Bell, Marizanne Kapp (Stars), Lauren Smith (Hurricanes)

 

WBBL 2024 Season SWOT Analysis

Adelaide Strikers

Strengths:

• Strong spin attack with Amanda-Jade Wellington and Megan Schutt.
• Reinforced batting with Laura Wolvaardt and Smriti Mandhana.
• Tahlia McGrath provides all-round skills and captaincy.

Weaknesses:

• Loss of Georgia Adams could weaken batting depth.
• Heavy reliance on overseas players to perform.

Opportunities:

• Smriti Mandhana’s explosive starts can set the tone.
• Young talents like Maggie Clark and Ellie Johnston can make an impact.

Threats:

• Potential pressure on McGrath if others underperform.
• Competition from other teams’ well-rounded squads.

 

Brisbane Heat

Strengths:

• Experienced all-rounders like Jess Jonassen and Grace Harris.
• Jemimah Rodrigues and Shikha Pandey boost the squad with Indian international experience.

Weaknesses:

• Loss of key players like Amelia Kerr and Ellie Johnston.
• Dependence on a few core players for both batting and bowling.

Opportunities:

• Potential to develop young talents like Sianna Ginger and Mikayla Wrigley.
• Jemimah Rodrigues can bring consistency to the middle order.

Threats:

• Loss of players to injuries or international duty.
• Struggles to replace Amelia Kerr’s impact in the all-rounder role.

 

Hobart Hurricanes

Strengths:

• Strong overseas signings like Suzie Bates and Danni Wyatt.
• Spin depth with Molly Strano and Amy Smith.

Weaknesses:

• Inconsistent batting lineup in past seasons.
• Departure of Shabnim Ismail leaves a hole in pace attack.

Opportunities:

• Chloe Tryon adds a power-hitting option.
• New additions like Bates can bring leadership and experience.

Threats:

• Over-reliance on overseas stars.
• Pressure to improve after underwhelming campaigns.

 

Melbourne Renegades

Strengths:

• Solid middle-order batters in Sophie Molineux and Georgia Wareham.
• New overseas players like Alice Capsey and Deandra Dottin bring firepower.

Weaknesses:

• Departures of Harmanpreet Kaur and Tammy Beaumont weaken batting depth.
• Pace attack lacks experience beyond Tayla Vlaeminck.

Opportunities:

• Nicole Faltum’s leadership can revitalize the team.
• Young talent Milly Illingworth offers future promise.

Threats:

• Performance gaps if overseas players underperform.
• Injuries could expose depth issues.

 

Melbourne Stars

Strengths:

• All-round strength with players like Deepti Sharma and Annabel Sutherland.
• Presence of experienced captain Meg Lanning.

Weaknesses:

• Loss of key players like Alice Capsey and Sophia Dunkley weakens batting options.
• Heavy dependence on Lanning for batting stability.

Opportunities:

• New recruits like Deepti Sharma can fill all-rounder gaps.
• Young talents like Rhys McKenna offer long-term potential.

Threats:

• Injury concerns for Lanning could derail the season.
• Struggles to replace Milly Illingworth’s pace bowling.

 

Perth Scorchers

Strengths:

• Strong leadership from Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney.
• Quality spin options with Alana King.

Weaknesses:

• Loss of Nat Sciver-Brunt weakens middle-order batting and bowling depth.
• Pace attack lacks variety beyond Stella Campbell.

Opportunities:

• Young talents like Chloe Ainsworth can step up.
• Mikayla Hinkley can add depth to the batting lineup.

Threats:

• Over-reliance on Mooney and Devine at the top.
• Competition from well-balanced teams.

 

Sydney Sixers

Strengths:

• World-class all-rounders in Ashleigh Gardner and Sophie Ecclestone.
• Deep batting lineup with Alyssa Healy and Ellyse Perry.

Weaknesses:

• Dependence on key players like Perry and Healy for batting strength.
• Recent losses like Jess Kerr affect bowling depth.

Opportunities:

• Courtney Sippel’s pace can bolster the attack.
• Amelia Kerr can add versatility with her all-round skills.

Threats:

• Injuries to key players could expose depth issues.
• Pressure to perform with high-profile stars.

 

Sydney Thunder

Strengths:

• Quality overseas signings like Chamari Athapaththu and Shabnim Ismail.
• Emerging talents like Georgia Voll can make a difference.

Weaknesses:

• Struggled with consistency in previous seasons.
• Departures of Lauren Bell and Marizanne Kapp weaken the squad.

Opportunities:

• Taneale Peschel and Georgia Adams can bring stability.
• Youth talents like Sienna Eve offer long-term potential.

Threats:

• Dependence on a few players for breakthroughs.
• Competition from teams with more balanced squads.

 

 

Full WBBL 2024 Schedule

Match Date	Match Number	Teams Involved	Venue
Sun, 27 Oct 2024	1st Match	Adelaide Strikers Women vs Brisbane Heat Women	Adelaide, Australia
Sun, 27 Oct 2024	2nd Match	Melbourne Renegades Women vs Sydney Sixers Women	Adelaide, Australia
Mon, 28 Oct 2024	3rd Match	Perth Scorchers Women vs Melbourne Stars Women	Perth, Australia
Mon, 28 Oct 2024	4th Match	Hobart Hurricanes Women vs Sydney Thunder Women	Hobart, Australia
Tue, 29 Oct 2024	5th Match	Sydney Sixers Women vs Adelaide Strikers Women	North Sydney, Australia
Wed, 30 Oct 2024	6th Match	Brisbane Heat Women vs Melbourne Renegades Women	Brisbane, Australia
Thu, 31 Oct 2024	7th Match	Sydney Thunder Women vs Hobart Hurricanes Women	North Sydney, Australia
Fri, 01 Nov 2024	8th Match	Sydney Thunder Women vs Adelaide Strikers Women	North Sydney, Australia
Sat, 02 Nov 2024	9th Match	Sydney Sixers Women vs Melbourne Stars Women	North Sydney, Australia
Sat, 02 Nov 2024	10th Match	Brisbane Heat Women vs Hobart Hurricanes Women	Melbourne, Australia
Sun, 03 Nov 2024	11th Match	Melbourne Renegades Women vs Perth Scorchers Women	Melbourne, Australia
Sun, 03 Nov 2024	12th Match	Melbourne Stars Women vs Hobart Hurricanes Women	Melbourne, Australia
Tue, 05 Nov 2024	13th Match	Melbourne Renegades Women vs Adelaide Strikers Women	Melbourne, Australia
Tue, 05 Nov 2024	14th Match	Perth Scorchers Women vs Brisbane Heat Women	Perth, Australia
Wed, 06 Nov 2024	15th Match	Hobart Hurricanes Women vs Sydney Sixers Women	Hobart, Australia
Thu, 07 Nov 2024	16th Match	Brisbane Heat Women vs Sydney Thunder Women	Perth, Australia
Thu, 07 Nov 2024	17th Match	Perth Scorchers Women vs Melbourne Renegades Women	Perth, Australia
Fri, 08 Nov 2024	18th Match	Melbourne Stars Women vs Sydney Sixers Women	Melbourne, Australia
Sat, 09 Nov 2024	19th Match	Melbourne Renegades Women vs Melbourne Stars Women	Melbourne, Australia
Sat, 09 Nov 2024	20th Match	Brisbane Heat Women vs Adelaide Strikers Women	Brisbane, Australia
Sun, 10 Nov 2024	21st Match	Hobart Hurricanes Women vs Perth Scorchers Women	Sydney, Australia
Sun, 10 Nov 2024	22nd Match	Sydney Sixers Women vs Sydney Thunder Women	Sydney, Australia
Mon, 11 Nov 2024	23rd Match	Adelaide Strikers Women vs Melbourne Renegades Women	Adelaide, Australia
Tue, 12 Nov 2024	24th Match	Sydney Thunder Women vs Perth Scorchers Women	Sydney, Australia
Wed, 13 Nov 2024	25th Match	Hobart Hurricanes Women vs Adelaide Strikers Women	Hobart, Australia
Thu, 14 Nov 2024	26th Match	Sydney Sixers Women vs Brisbane Heat Women	North Sydney, Australia
Fri, 15 Nov 2024	27th Match	Perth Scorchers Women vs Sydney Thunder Women	Melbourne, Australia
Fri, 15 Nov 2024	28th Match	Melbourne Stars Women vs Melbourne Renegades Women	Melbourne, Australia
Sat, 16 Nov 2024	29th Match	Adelaide Strikers Women vs Hobart Hurricanes Women	Adelaide, Australia
Sun, 17 Nov 2024	30th Match	Brisbane Heat Women vs Melbourne Stars Women	Sydney, Australia
Sun, 17 Nov 2024	31st Match	Sydney Thunder Women vs Sydney Sixers Women	Sydney, Australia
Tue, 19 Nov 2024	32nd Match	Adelaide Strikers Women vs Perth Scorchers Women	Adelaide, Australia
Wed, 20 Nov 2024	33rd Match	Sydney Thunder Women vs Melbourne Stars Women	Sydney, Australia
Thu, 21 Nov 2024	34th Match	Hobart Hurricanes Women vs Perth Scorchers Women	Hobart, Australia
Thu, 21 Nov 2024	35th Match	Hobart Hurricanes Women vs Melbourne Renegades Women	Hobart, Australia
Fri, 22 Nov 2024	36th Match	Brisbane Heat Women vs Melbourne Stars Women	Brisbane, Australia
Sat, 23 Nov 2024	37th Match	Melbourne Renegades Women vs Sydney Thunder Women	Melbourne, Australia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024	38th Match	Perth Scorchers Women vs Hobart Hurricanes Women	Melbourne, Australia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024	39th Match	Melbourne Stars Women vs Adelaide Strikers Women	Melbourne, Australia
Wed, 27 Nov 2024	Knockout	TBD vs TBD	TBD
Fri, 29 Nov 2024	Challenger	TBD vs TBD	TBD
Sun, 01 Dec 2024	Final	TBD vs TBD	TBD

 

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