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
Brisbane Heat take on Sydney Sixers in the first game of the 2022 WBBL; the eighth edition of the tournament.
The game is scheduled to start at 6.40pm local time (9.40am BST) on Thursday, October 13.
The Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay is set to stage this match.
Being the first game of the new campaign, there is not an awful lot to go on.
Brisbane Heat finished the 2021 WBBL in third place but lost to Adelaide Strikers in the Eliminator.
Sydney Sixers had a shocker, propping up the league with four wins from their 10 matches. They have since made a change at the top of their management structure, with the highly thought-of coach Charlotte Edwards coming in to lead the side in 2022.
"We just can't wait to get started. We know what a strong side we've put together on paper and we're looking forward to seeing that gel on-field," Edwards said.
"Our main priority (aside from winning games) is to play entertaining and exciting cricket, and put on a real show for our fans and fans around the country."
Ellyse Perry captains Sydney Sixers [Getty Images]
Brisbane Heat have won seven of their past eight WBBL matches against Sydney Sixers, including each of their past three meetings.
Head coach Ashley Noffke says a final decision on his side's starting XI has yet to be made.
"Everyone is preparing as if they are playing, and that is the sort of flexibility you need early in the tournament," he said.
"We've got some options, depending on match-ups, and how we think the conditions will play out. It's an outstanding playing arena and we will give ourselves the chance to assess things and then finalise the starting team."
However, Heat are a little down on options, with Danni Wyatt and Pooja Vastrakar missing.
Sophie Ecclestone is Sydney's main weapon with the ball. The world's best T20 bowler can tie down an end and be incredibly difficult to get away, even for the very top players. Wyatt's home knowledge of Ecclestone would have certainly been useful. Without her, Grace Harris, Amelia Kerr, Jess Jonassen and Laura Harris will be expected to step up.
Then, when it comes to containing the Sixers with the bat, Brisbane have their work cut out. The combination of Suzie Bates and Alyssa Healy at the top of the order is intimidating. Ellyse Perry and Ash Gardner offer about as experienced a middle order as the WBBL has, and Ecclestone is becoming increasingly useful in the latter stages of an innings.
Slightly overcast come the start of play in Mackay, with temperatures hovering around the 23 degrees Celsius mark.
Hannah Trethewy has been added to Sydney Sixers' squad as a local replacement for Ange Reakes, who will sit out the summer following the birth of her first child in August.
Brisbane Heat will be without England international Danni Wyatt and Pooja Vastrakar of India for their season opener. New Zealand international Jess Kerr joins her sister Amelia in the squad as cover.
Lucy Hamilton is named as a local replacement for the injured Zoe Cooke.
Brisbane Heat: Jess Jonassen (c), 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
Sydney Sixers: Ellyse Perry (c), Jade Allen, Suzie Bates, Nicole Bolton, Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Stella Campbell, Lauren Cheatle, Sophie Ecclestone, Ash Gardner, Ange Genford, Alyssa Healy, Kate Peterson
*note these are squads for the WBBL season as a whole, and not specific to this game (see team news section for specific information)
Jess Jonassen leads Brisbane Heat [Getty Images]
Brisbane Heat: Amelia Kerr, Georgia Redmayne, Grace Harris, Georgia Voll, Laura Harris, Jess Jonassen, Ellie Johnston, Jess Kerr, Nicola Hancock, Courtney Sippel, Grace Parsons
Sydney Sixers: Alyssa Healy, Suzie Bates, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Erin Burns, Nicole Bolton, Sophie Ecclestone, Maitlan Brown, Lauren Cheatle, Kate Peterson, Angie Genford
Brisbane Heat are the marginal 5/6 favourites with the bookies, with Sydney Sixers as long as even-money in places.
Sydney Sixers have to do better than they managed in 2021, and with Edwards at the helm and their top order stuffed with experience and power, that shouldn't be a problem. Expect them to get off to a winning start.
Yes. General admission is priced at $10 for adults and $5 for children and can be purchased via Ticketek.
There is also a $90 premium admission ticket option available for those who want to splash the cash.
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.
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.