WBBL08 match preview: Brisbane Heat v Melbourne Renegades

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

What's the match?

Brisbane Heat take on Melbourne Renegades in match nine of the WBBL; the eighth edition of the tournament.

When is it taking place?

The game is scheduled to start at 3.30pm local time (5.30am BST) on Tuesday, October 18.

Where is the match being played?

The Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay is set to stage this match.

Who's got the form?

Both teams come into this match on two points, with Melbourne Renegades above Brisbane Heat on net run-rate.

Brisbane Heat bounced back after their defeat to Sixers, beating Melbourne Stars on Saturday. They will be confident with the form of their batting, having set the Stars 180 to win. Young talent Ellie Johnston is coming into this match off the back of an entertaining knock included five sixes, an innings that saw her become the youngest Heat player to hit a half century. Georgia Voll has also started the season well, backing up her measured 32 in match one with an explosive 40 from 28 deliveries against the Stars.

Jess Jonassen produced another good performance with the ball, taking three wickets, including Annabel Sutherland, who was looking dangerous. Brisbane will be encouraged by how the team bounced back from a loss, particulalry with their batting improving.

Melbourne Renegades won their opening match on Sunday with one ball to spare. They will be very happy with Sophie Molineux's all-round performance, supported with both bat and ball by West Indies star Hayley Matthews. Renegades may be slightly concerned by their batting performance as they made a simple chase look difficult, but they held their nerve and got the two points.

^{Brisbane Heat beat Melbourne Stars last time out (Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)}

What's the key match-up?

The last time the two sides met, Brisbane Heat won convincingly by 43 runs. Georgia Redmayne will be looking to repeat her batting heroics from last year as she top-scored with 71.

An interesting match-up will be how Matthews approaches her innnings at the top of the order against Brisbane's opening bowlers. Jess Kerr has been very economical for the Heat this year and Matthews is known to go hard from ball one.

After taking four wickets against the Strikers on Sunday, Brisbane's top order will be wary of Molineux and may have to target other bowlers so as not to lose early wickets. Josie Dooley will be playing against her former club.

What's the weather forecast?

Damp conditions in the afternoon could disrupt the evening's play in Mackay.

What is the team news?

Harmanpreet Kaur is away on international duty. Eve Jones is the Renegades' replacement player. Georgia Wareham (knee) and Tayla Vlaeminck (foot) are unavailable this year due to injury.

Zoe Cooke remains injured for Brisbane Heat and Lucy Hamilton comes in as a local replacement.

Danni Wyatt is unavailable and her international replacement is Jess Kerr. No news on Grace Harris who missed last match due to a sore knee but is included in Heat's squad.

^{Sophie Molineux captains Melbourne Renegades (Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)}

What are the squads?

Brisbane Heat: Jess Jonassen, Zoe Cooke (injured, replaced by Lucy Hamilton), Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Mikayla Hinkley, Ellie Johnston, Amelia Kerr, Charli Knott, Grace Parsons, Georgia Redmayne, Courtney Sippel, Georgia Voll, Pooja Vastrakar, Danni Wyatt, Jess Kerr

Melbourne Renegades: Sophie Molineux, Sarah Coyte, Josie Dooley, Ellie Falconer, Ella Hayward, Shabnim Ismail, Harmanpreet Kaur, Carly Leeson, Hayley Matthews, Rhiann O’Donnell, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham, Courtney Webb, Georgia Prestwidge, Erica Kershaw, Eve Jones (partial replacement for Harmanpreet Kaur)

What are the possible starting XIs?

Brisbane Heat: Georgia Redmayne, Ellie Johnston, Georgia Voll, Amelia Kerr, Laura Harris, Jess Jonassen, Charli Knott, Mikayla Hinkley, Jess Kerr, Nicola Hancock, Courtney Sippel

Melbourne Renegades: Sophie Molineux, Hayley Matthews, Josie Dooley, Eve Jones, Erica Kershaw, Courtney Webb, Carly Leeson, Sarah Coyte, Rhiann O'Donnell, Shabnim Ismail, Georgia Prestwidge

What are the odds?

The favourites for this game are Brisbane Heat at 4/6. The bookies have Melbourne Renegades at 6/5.

What's the prediction?

Brisbane Heat ought to have too much for Renegades, who are still without key players.

Are tickets available?

Yes. Tickets are priced at $10 for adults and $5 for children (1-17 years) and can be purchased on Ticketek.

Where can I watch the game?

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.