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
Sydney Thunder take on Hobart Hurricanes in the second match of the WBBL, the eighth edition of the tournament.
The game is scheduled to start at 3pm local time (5am BST) on Friday, October 14.
Blacktown International Sportpark 1, Sydney is set to stage this match.
Being the first match that both teams will play in WBBL08, it's hard to know what to expect.
Both teams had poor campaigns last year, with Sydney Thunder finishing seventh and Hobart Hurricanes sixth. However, with a new captain and a consistent run-scorer in Elyse Villani, Hobart Hurracanes look in a good position to improve on last year.
Sydney Thunder have added Tammy Beaumont to their squad. She brings a huge amount of talent and experience to the batting lineup but was short of runs in the women's Hundred and has not played T20I cricket since the Ashes back in January.
The last time the two teams played Sydney Thunder came out on top with a convincing 37-run win.
Tammy Beaumont has returned to Sydney Thunder [Cameron Spencer/Getty Images]
The two teams have played each other on 13 occasions with Sydney Thunder leading the head-to-head 10-3.
Hobart Hurricanes have worked on stengthening their batting lineup which has, in the past, been an area of concern. They look a very different side to last year having signed seven new players and appointed a new captain and coach. There is always the danger that a relatively new side will take a few matches to gel as a team, but they will take comfort in the fact that Villani and Lizelle Lee have previously opened together for Melbourne Stars.
Sydney Thunder will be looking to give Rachael Haynes a memorable send off in her final season before retiring. The key to their success could be the form of big-hitting South African Chloe Tryon who has recently showed her talent in the Caribbean playing for Barbados Royals. The form of bowling allrounder Sammy-Jo Johnson could also make a big difference as she will look to improve on last year's poor performances.
This match will see both Tryon and Belinda Vakarewa play against their former club, Hobart Hurricanes.
Some early morning rain should clear up by the start of play. The afternoon is set to be breezy with temperatures between 21 and 25 degrees celsius.
Hannah Darlington is unavailable for Sydney Thunder due to a knee injury.
Sydney Thunder coach Trevor Griffin said: "We have a fantastic squad. We have plenty of depth across all disciplines, and that means selections will be interesting. We'll have a look at the wicket later today and it will go a long way to deciding our final XI."
From the Hobart Hurricanes squad, a possible six players could make their Hurricanes debuts if selected (Julia Cavanough, Heather Graham, Lee, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Rachel Trenaman, Villani) while Villani, Nicola Carey and Molly Strano are all in line for their 100th WBBL appearances.
Sydney Thunder: Samantha Bates, Hannah Darlington, Jess Davidson, Rachael Haynes, Phoebe Litchfield, Olivia Porter, Lauren Smith, Tahlia Wilson, Tammy Beaumont, Anika Learoyd, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Chloe Tryon, Amy Jones, Belinda Vakarewa, Corinne Hall, Lea Tahuhu (overseas replacement signing), Saskia Horley (local replacement)
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)
*note these are squads for the WBBL season as a whole, and not specific to this game (see team news section for specific information)
Elyse Villani has moved to Hobart Hurricanes from Melbourne Stars [Steve Bell/Getty Images]
Sydney Thunder: Sammy-Jo Johnson, Tammy Beaumont, Phoebe Litchfield, Rachael Haynes, Chloe Tryon, Anika Learoyd, Tahlia Wilson, Corinne Hall, Lea Tahuhu, Belinda Vakarewa, Samantha Bates
Hobart Hurricanes: Elyse Villani, Lizelle Lee, Mignon du Preez, Ruth Johnston, Heather Graham, Nicola Carey, Naomi Stalenberg, Molly Strano, Amy Smith, Rachel Trenaman, Hayley Jensen
Hobart Hurricanes are marginal 4/5 favourites with the bookies, with Sydney Thunder at evens.
The depth and quality of Hobart Hurricanes places them as the most likely winner. However, Sydney Thunder could capitalise on the Hurricane' lack of time playing together, making it a close one to call.
Yes. Tickets are priced at $10 for adults (over 16) and are free for children (under 16) and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.
Sky Sports holds the UK rights for the WBBL. This game will be shown live on both Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket.
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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