Here’s our WBBL Guide ahead of season nine.
Get ready for another exciting season of the Women’s Big Bash League.
Cricket Australia’s released the WBBL schedule for the upcoming season, the ninth instalment of the tournament.
Joining the already jam packed summer of women’s cricket in Australia, the WBBL is expected to be bigger and better than ever, with a monster 56 regular season games and a three-game finals series.
For the first time in WBBL history, there will be standalone women’s games held at MCG and SCG, with the Melbourne Derby (Stars v Renegades) at the cauldron and the Sydney Smash at Australia’s home of cricket.
Although there has been an emphasis on shifting some games to these bigger venues, there’s no need to panic for the local ground lovers, with grounds such as North Sydney Oval and Allan Border Oval integral to the WBBL season.
As always, the tournament will offer fans the opportunity to watch the best women’s T20 players in the world play, including Australia’s own limited over champions such as Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy and Ash Gardner.
With extra matches and new venues in the mix for the WBBL season, here’s our WBBL Guide — everything you need to know about the announcement of the WBBL|09 schedule.
When does the WBBL|09 season start?
October 19, 2023
The ninth season of the WBBL commences Thursday, October 19 at North Sydney Oval between the Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars.
There will be games almost every day throughout the tournament up until the Final on December 2.
The season is also full of double-headers with a usual first game starting in the early to mid afternoon with a prime time game to follow.
Where can I watch the WBBL|09 season?
Channel 7, Foxtel and Kayo
The television rights again for this season will be shared between free-to-air station Channel 7 and pay-TV platform Foxtel.
All games will be available live and on demand via Foxtel’s streaming service, Kayo, with a whopping 35 exclusive games to be broadcasted by Foxtel — clearly the place to be to watch all of your Women’s Big Bash League.
What’s new in the WBBL Guide this season?
Headlining this year WBBL Guide is the announcement of the tournament’s return to the MCG and SCG for the first time since 2019.
For the first time in the league’s history, the MCG and SCG will host standalone WBBL matches beginning with the Melbourne Derby on Saturday, November 25 to then be followed by the ‘Sydney Smash’ at the SCG on Sunday, November 26.
Cricket Australia’s General Manager, Alistair Dobson, has emphasised the need for the league to continue its growth by scheduling matches at cricket’s top venues in this year WBBL Guide.
They will be measuring the crowd attendance and other factors this season at the MCG and SCG games to see what the demand is like for future seasons and if it’s a feasible way forward.
Who is the reigning champion heading into WBBL|09?
Adelaide Strikers
The Strikers secured their maiden WBBL title last season at North Sydney Oval, defeating the top of the table Sixers by ten runs in the Final.
Not only was the victory impressive in the way it happen (defending 147 runs), but they took down a trio of Australian stars in Perry, Healy and Gardner who have two WBBL trophies each under their belts.
West Indies international, Deandra Dottin, topped scored for match for the Strikers with an unbeaten 52, whilst Sophie Ecclestone and Sixers’ Darcie Brown the pick of the bowlers with 2 wickets each.
Dottin was awarded the player of the match and the franchise’s inaugural ‘Final MVP’.
One Response
As usual WA has been almost ignored . The Scorchers play only 5 games at home and doubtless few of their games will be broadcast on free to air tv. Is this fair on either the fans or the players