Here comes another WBBL season; marking a phase in Australia’s Women’s ranks that will prove pivotal for the future. Here are the key storylines.
The Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) has arrived, the tournament’s eighth instalment; with Brisbane up against the Sixers in the opener.
It’s the tournament’s eighth edition, with action finally returning to all states for the first time since 2019.
While the timing isn’t ideal, given the Men’s T20 World Cup is also around the corner, there is plenty of reason to take notice of the Women’s domestic storylines.
The Only Sports Show | Listen to our newest episode:
Sydney Sixer Ellyse Perry is primed for a big campaign, headlining the tournament without fellow megastar Meg Lanning, with the 30-year-old taking an indefinite break from the sport. It follows her captaining Australia to a Commonwealth Games gold medal earlier in the year.
Then there’s Rachel Haynes farewell tour; the 35-year-old’s retiring after the WBBL season.
Jess Duffin (AFLW) and Georgia Wareham (injury) are also big outs for local talent.
Issy Wong, Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Maia Boucher and Shabnim Ismail are among the international stars who aren’t returning.
Who’s set for the WBBL|08 title?
The Perth Scorchers took the tournament by storm last season, after upsetting the Adelaide Strikers in the final to claim their maiden title.
As they head into WBBL|08, the Scorchers enter in hopes to follow it up by claiming back-to-back title wins. The reigning champions have bolstered their playing list with big international names. This includes New Zealand’s national women’s captain Sophie Devine and teammate Maddy Green.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut head coach Shelley Nitschke will need to get creative. Heather Graham, Chamari Athapaththu, Samatha Betts, Ashley Day and Lisa Griffith all won’t be suiting up in the orange this time around.
The Strikers will be hot on the Scorchers’ tails, with the side looking to go one better this season.
After finishing fourth last season, the Brisbane Heat will be another team to watch out for in the upcoming season. As too will the Melbourne Renegades, whose 2021 campaign saw them finish in third place.
A number of international names have signed on across the eight teams to help bolster their chances for the title this year. Players from England, India, New Zealand, South Africa and the West Indies will feature alongside strong Australian talent on the playing lists this year.
Rachel Haynes’ farewell
Although she announced her departure from international cricket last month, the national team’s vice-captain isn’t done yet with the sport.
In what will be her final WBBL campaign with the Sydney Thunder, the 35-year-old will be looking for title success before calling time on her career completely.
Since making her test debut back in 1998, Haynes has become one of the most adaptable players in the game. Across the formats of the game, the Sydney Thunder star has seen herself bat in almost every top-order position.
Will Haynes’ retirement from the sport see a WBBL title added to her accolades?
A return to international T20s for Perry?
It has been one year since Ellyse Perry was last seen in a T20 for Australia, after being overlooked by selectors. She was also not at the recent Commonwealth Games.
Perry has recently dealt with a mix of injury and poor form that lead to her axing. But she’s since shown signs of a comeback through her performances in the Hundred tournament and in the WNCL with Victoria.
With her previous omissions behind her, Perry will be aiming for an impressive season in the hopes to get recalled back into international T20 cricket.
Embed from Getty Images
