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
Sydney Thunder take on Perth Scorchers in match seven of the WBBL, the eighth edition of the tournament.
The game is scheduled to start at 5pm local time (7am BST) on Saturday, October 15.
The Blacktown Oval in Sydney is set to stage this match.
Perth Scorchers haven't started yet but they arrive with world-class overseas players in Sophie Devine and Marizanne Kapp, one of the world's leading T20 batters in Beth Mooney and a high-quality leg-spinner in Alana King. Last year's champions will be tough to stop.
For Sydney Thunder, this is the toughest game possible after a difficult season-opener. They struggled to 106 for 9 on a stodgy surface in losing against Hobart Hurricanes. There were positives to take from that result but the batting display saw a collapse of 8 for 65 in 12 overs to put pay to the good work done earlier in restricting Hobart.
Perhaps, though, that game has cleared any cobwebs and will stand them in good stead against Scorchers, who might just have some rust in their systems.
Rachael Haynes is Thunder's captain (Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
It's difficult to look past Perth's stacked batting line-up, with Devine and Mooney at the top. Lea Tahuhu has been signed as a partial replacement by Thunder, and she took the new ball in the defeat by Hurricanes: the veteran New Zealander knows Devine's game better than most.
Spin will also play a key part; Sam Bates was impressive in Thunder's opener and dismissed Elyse Villani and Nicole Carey, while Chloe Tryon was excellent in the middle overs with her left-arm spin. In King, however, Scorchers have the top leg-spinner in the world at present, and she comes into this year's Women's Big Bash on the back of a remarkable rise in the last 12 months: a Commonwealth Games winner, an international cricketer in all three formats, a hat-trick in The Hundred and a reputation now as a key player wherever she goes.
The late afternoon is set to partially cloudy with temperatures up to 19 degrees celsius.
Lea Tahuhu will continue to deputise for Amy Jones, who only arrived in Sydney on Friday. Thunder head coach Trevor Griffin has also confirmed that Jones won't keep wicket when she does play, with Tahlia Wilson retaining the gloves.
Perth Scorchers are at full strength.
Alana King will be key for Perth Scorchers (Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Sydney Thunder: Samantha Bates, Hannah Darlington, Jess Davidson, Rachael Haynes, Phoebe Litchfield, Olivia Porter, Lauren Smith, Tahlia Wilson, Tammy Beaumont, Corinne Hall, Anika Learoyd, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Chloe Tryon, Amy Jones, Belinda Vakarewa, Lea Tahuhu (overseas replacement signing), Saskia Horley (local replacement)
Perth Scorchers: Mathilda Carmichael, Piepa Cleary, Sophie Devine (c), Maddy Green, Marizanne Kapp, Alana King, Lilly Mills, Beth Mooney, Taneale Peschel, Chloe Piparo, Holly Ferling, Amy Edgar, Maddy Darke, Georgia Wyllie, Charis Bekker
Sydney Thunder: Tammy Beaumont, Phoebe Litchfield, Anika Learoyd, Rachael Haynes, Chloe Tryon, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Tahlia Wilson, Lea Tahuhu, Lauren Smith, Belinda Vakarewa, Sam Bates
Perth Scorchers: Sophie Devine, Beth Mooney, Chloe Piparo, Maddy Green, Marizanne Kapp, Mathilda Carmichael, Alana King, Piepa Cleary, Lilly Mills, Holly Ferling, Taneale Peschel
The favourites for this game are Perth Scorchers at 4/9. The bookies have Sydney Thunder at 2/1.
Perth Scorchers are heavy favourites with the bookies for good reason, and they will be confident of beginning with a win.
Yes. Tickets 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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