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 BBL
Brisbane Heat take on Melbourne Stars in match four of the WBBL; the eighth edition of the tournament.
The game is scheduled to start at 6.05pm local time (9.05am BST) on Saturday, October 15.
The Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay is set to stage this match.
Brisbane Heat need to bounce back after narrowly losing their opening game to Sydney Sixers. Many positives can be taken from their defeat as they looked set to win if but for a final-over six struck by Maitlan Brown. Good bowling performances from Jess Kerr and Jess Jonassen will inspire some confidence in the dressing room, but the pressure is now on to get some points from their second game.
Melbourne Stars are not coming into this game in the best form having been convincingly beaten in a trial match by Adelaide Strikers. With Jemimah Rodriques not available yet and Elyse Villani now with the Hurricanes, they look a depleted side from last year. They will look to England internationals Alice Capsey and Lauren Winfield-Hill to provide stability to their batting.
Bess Heat has been signed by Melbourne Stars [Melbourne Stars]
Brisbane Heat have won five of their past six meetings against Melbourne Stars. The Stars came out on top in their most recent encounter, winning by eight wickets.
Brisbane Heat batter Georgia Redmayne showed class at the top of the order against the Sixers on Thursday, scoring 49 from 39 balls. With strong bowling performances from Jess Kerr and Jonassen, they will be confident in their ability to bounce back after defeat. Nineteen-year-old Georgia Voll also showed potential, hitting a measured 32 from 39 deliveries. She could develop into a useful No.3 batter for Heat.
Melbourne have an exciting bowling attack including Annabel Sutherland and Kim Garth. Although Sutherland is inexperienced, she has a huge amount of talent and it will be interesting to see how she does against top-class batters.
An exciting match-up may be seen as England batters Capsey and Winfield-Hill face up against Brisbane's overseas duo, Amelia and Jess Kerr.
The afternoon is set to be sunny with temperatures up to 27 degrees celsius.
Jemimah Rodrigues is unavailble for Melbourne Stars due to international commitments. Bess Heath comes in as an international replacement.
Meg Lanning is taking an extended leave from the game and Una Raymond-Hoey comes in as a local replacement.
The Stars could have seven debutants (Capsey, Heath, Olivia Henry, Sasha Moloney, Raymond-Hoey, Sophie Reid, Winfield-Hill).
Zoe Cooke is injured for Brisbane Heat and Lucy Hamilton comes in as a local replacement.
Danni Wyatt is unavailable and her international replacement is Jess Kerr.
Jess Jonassen leads Brisbane Heat [Getty Images]
Brisbane Heat: Jess Jonassen (c), Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Hamilton, Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Mikayla Hinkley, Ellie Johnston, Charli Knott, Grace Parsons, Georgia Redmayne, Courtney Sippel, Georgia Voll
Melbourne Stars: Nicole Faltum (c), Capsey, Sophie Day, Tess Flintoff, Kim Garth, Beth Heath, Olivia Henry, Rhys McKenna, Sasha Moloney, Una Raymond-Hoey, Sophie Reid, Annabel Sutherland, Lauren Winfield-Hill
Brisbane Heat: Redmayne, G Harris, Voll, Jonassen, A Kerr, L Harris, Knott, Hinkley, Hancock, J Kerr, Sippel
Melbourne Stars: Capsey, Winfield-Hill, Faltum, Heath, Garth, Sutherland, Flintoff, Reid, McKenna, Day
The favourite for this game is Brisbane Heat at 4/9. The bookies have Melbourne Stars at 7/4 to win.
Brisbane Heat look likely to bounce back and win this match. Melbourne Stars have some good players but will really feel the losses of Lanning and Villani this year.
Yes. Tickets are priced at $10 for adults (over 16) and $5 for children (under 16) and can be purchased on Ticketek.
Sky Sports holds the UK rights for the WBBL. This game will be shown on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 9am (BST).
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.
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