Today at the WBBL: Sides hope for rain-free Sunday

After a heavily-disrupted Saturday, all eight sides will aim to kick-start their campaigns - but will the conditions thwart them again?

Who’s playing?

Game one: Adelaide Strikers v Perth Scorchers

Game two: Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat

Game three: Melbourne Renegades v Sydney Sixers

Game four: Hobart Hurricanes v Melbourne Stars

One way or another, given the weather that has afflicted the Women’s Big Bash thus far, Adelaide Strikers have not yet had a game washed out. They face Perth Scorchers, the only other team to have both won and lost in this rain-interrupted campaign. In Laura Wolvaardt, Beth Mooney and Sophie Devine, there is plenty of high-quality batting on display.

Scorchers recorded their first win of the competition on Saturday, beating Melbourne Renegades convincingly.

So, too, did Sydney Thunder, who were indebted to Heather Knight’s innings of 83 as they beat Strikers comfortably.

Renegades, however, are still seeking their first win after two washouts and a comprehensive defeat against Perth Scorchers on Saturday. They were restricted to just 105 for 5 from their 20 overs, a total that was never likely to be enough, with only one batsman – Georgia Wareham – able to score at better than a run a ball.

Courtney Webb used up 44 deliveries for 33, while Sophie Molineux made 29 off 41 balls at the top of the innings. Neither Lizelle Lee nor Amy Satterthwaite fired, with Renegades missing the runs of Jess Duffin, whose absence this year is already being felt.

^{Beth Mooney was in the runs for Perth Scorchers on Saturday}

In stopping Sydney Sixers, they face a difficult task; Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Erin Burns, Marizanne Kapp and Dane van Niekerk, they are coming up against one of the tournament’s most complete batting line-ups.

Perry’s side have been left equally frustrated thus far, however, winning a rain-reduced game against Adelaide Strikers either side of two rain-offs.

None, though, have fared as unfortunately as Melbourne Stars. When they face Hobart Hurricanes, they will be aiming for their first result of the competition, having had all three games washed out.

Hobart are propping up the table, albeit somewhat superficially at this point – though mainly on the back of a heavy defeat against Adelaide Strikers, during which they were bowled out for 84.

Had rain not curtailed their run-chase against Brisbane Heat, they may well have been involved in an intriguing finish.

Who should I look out for?

With so little meaningful cricket having taken place so far, it is hard to look beyond the obvious names.

Perry is back fit and bowling for Sixers, while Kapp is the second-highest wicket-taker in the competition thus far, albeit level with four others with three scalps apiece.

For Stars, Meg Lanning has only batted once, but made an unbeaten half century before rain washed out the remainder of that game. Teenage sensation Annabel Sutherland was also in the runs in the same game.

Chloe Tryon was pushed up to the top of Hobart Hurricanes’ order against Brisbane Heat to partner Rachel Priest, though one senses that was a decision made on the basis of a shortened chase, which left Hurricanes requiring 106 in 11 overs. She looked in fine fettle, however, and – on her day – is one of the cleanest hitters in the women’s game.

^{Sammy-Jo Johnson hit four sixes in a breezy cameo for Sydney Thunder on Saturday}

Much is hoped for Erin Fazackerley, the 22-year-old Renegades batsman. She moved over rom Hurricanes in the off-season and has effectively been tasked – alongside Satterthwaite – with replacing the runs left behind by Duffin. She made a three-ball duck against Perth Scorchers on Saturday.

Knight, meanwhile, has enjoyed a tremendous year in T20 cricket. She was assisted by Sammy-Jo Johnson, who hit four sixes in a single over during Thunder’s win over Strikers.

Strikers, though, have one of the tournament’s most discussed players thus far in Darcie Brown. The 17-year-old seamer has impressed all comers and will be tasked with finding a way through the Devine-Mooney axis at the top of Scorchers’ order.

Predictions

Perth Scorchers’ batting to have too much for Adelaide Strikers.

Sydney Thunder to continue their winning run by beating Brisbane Heat.

Sydney Sixers to have too much for Melbourne Renegades, while Melbourne Stars – under Lanning’s leadership – will back themselves to overcome Hobart Hurricanes.

Where can I watch?

In Australia, Kayo Sports are showing all 59 matches through their streaming service. Remaining games are accessible either through Channel 7, Fox Cricket or cricket.com.au.

BT Sport 2 are showing Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat from 11pm, followed by Melbourne Renegades v Sydney Sixers from 2.30am.

What’s the weather saying?

Strong winds and thundery showers, though with some sunny spells.