WBBL08 match preview: Hobart Hurricanes v Melbourne Stars

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?

Hobart Hurricanes host Melbourne Stars in match 46 of the WBBL; the eighth edition of the tournament.

When is it taking place?

The game is scheduled to start at 3pm local time (4am GMT) on Tuesday, November 15.

Where is the match being played?

The game will be played in Latrobe at the Latrobe Recreation Ground.

Who's got the form?

Hobart Hurricanes are the form team in the competition, having won four of their last five to launch themselves right into playoff contention with games in hand.

They are ahead of Perth Scorchers on net run rate with two games in hand on the reigning champions and are in line for their highest finishing position since the second edition of the Women's Big Bash.

They have won as many times in their last four games as Melbourne Stars have managed all season. Jon Batty's side effectively need to win their two games in hand on those above to give them half a chance of climbing into the top four.

Only Sydney Thunder have been impacted by more washouts. Defeat on Tuesday, though, will mean they cannot catch Hurricanes and all but seal their fate.

^{Melbourne Stars have been indebted to Annabel Sutherland [Getty Images]}

What's the key match-up?

Annabel Sutherland has been one of the players of the tournament, up among the leading wicket-takers and highest run-scorers. But other than the Australia allrounder, not enough of Stars' engine room has turned up consistently. Lauren Winfield-Hill has shown glimpses, as has Alice Capsey, but neither have regularly hit their highest heights.

Typically, Molly Strano is Hurricanes' leading wicket-taker. Her duel with Sutherland could be key. Heather Graham has also been a wily recruit by Hobart.

What's the weather forecast?

A cool day expected in Tasmania, with highs of 14 degrees Celsius and plenty of cloud cover.

What is the team news?

Bess Heath returned to Melbourne Stars' squad for their clash with Melbourne Renegades on Sunday after Jemimah Rodrigues was called away for national-team duty with India. She made 31 in a crucial win over Stars' local rivals that keeps Batty's side in with a shot of reaching the latter stages. 

What are the squads?

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)

Melbourne Stars: Meg Lanning (unavailable - personal reasons), Alice Capsey, Lucy Cripps, Sophie Day, Nicole Faltum (c), Tess Flintoff, Kim Garth, Rhys McKenna, Sasha Moloney, Sophie Reid, Jemimah Rodrigues, Annabel Sutherland, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Hasrat Gill, Olivia Henry

What are the possible starting XIs?

Hobart Hurricanes: Elyse Villani, Lizelle Lee, Mignon du Preez, Heather Graham, Nicola Carey, Ruth Johnston, Naomi Stalenberg, Hayley Jensen, Maisy Gibson, Amy Smith, Molly Strano

Melbourne Stars: Lauren Winfield-Hill, Bess Heath, Alice Capsey, Annabel Sutherland, Kim Garth, Nicole Faltum, Sasha Moloney, Tess Flintoff, Sophie Reid, Rhys McKenna, Sophie Day

^{Hobart Hurricanes are on a roll [Getty Images]}

What are the odds?

Hurricanes are clear favourites for victory at 8/11, while Stars are out at 15/13.

What's the prediction?

Hobart are the form team in the tournament and will fancy their chances of continuing their march.

Are tickets available?

Standard tickets for $10 available online at Ticketmaster.

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. Coverage of the competition resumes on November 18.

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.