Today at the WBBL: Sydney sides out to retain unbeaten records

Sydney Thunder face Perth Scorchers, with Sixers up against Brisbane Heat on Wednesday

Who’s playing?

Game one: Perth Scorchers v Sydney Thunder

Game two: Brisbane Heat v Sydney Sixers

Two of the Women’s Big Bash’s three remaining unbeaten records are under threat on Wednesday, with the two Sydney sides both in action against Perth Scorchers and Brisbane Heat respectively.

Melbourne Stars moved to the top of a rain-hit league table on Tuesday, beating Adelaide Strikers in a hard-fought, impressive run-chase. Hobart Hurricanes’ first win, meanwhile, brought them level on points with Perth.

Despite revamping their top order with the signings of WBBL cheat-codes Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney, Scorchers – no longer under the stewardship of England head coach Lisa Keightley – have suffered a stuttering start to their campaign, albeit they have been somewhat hindered by the Sydney elements.

They face Thunder, desperate for a win that would draw them level with their opponents. Heather Knight has starred with bat and ball for her new side, striking the highest WBBL score of her career against Strikers, before taking three wickets in a single over during a rain-shortened victory over Brisbane Heat.

Sixers, meanwhile, will be looking to afford their talismanic captain a belated birthday present. Ellyse Perry turned 30 on Tuesday; she is yet to be dismissed in the tournament and, along with Alyssa Healy, Ashleigh Gardnerh, Erin Burns, Marizanne Kapp and Dane van Niekerk, forms the fulcrum of a star-studded batting line-up for Jess Jonassen’s Brisbane Heat to break through.

^{Heather Knight is in fine T20 form}

Who to look out for?

Sammy-Jo Johnson has only faced 13 balls so far this season, but she hit four of them over the ropes in a remarkable cameo. She made 30 at a strike rate of 230.76 during Thunder’s win over Adelaide, taking one over from Amanda-Jade Wellington for 26.

Having joined her new side from Brisbane Heat during the off-season, her allrounder credentials have been important in her team’s solid start.

Grace Harris is another whose quick scoring has allowed her to stand out. With Brisbane Heat no longer able to rely on the consistent runs of Mooney, Harris – scorer of the fastest-ever WBBL hundred back in 2018 – has had to take on a new level of responsibility.

She began well, with a match-winning half century against Mooney’s Scorchers in her first match of the tournament. Heat need more of that, however, if they are to claim a third consecutive title.

And then, there is the England contingent: Knight, Tammy Beaumont and Sarah Glenn. Beaumont is yet to truly get going for Thunder, while Glenn will feature for Scorchers. Amy Jones missed their last game and is absent from the squad once again.

Predictions

Thunder to remain unbeaten by beating Scorchers.

Sixers to prove too strong for Heat.

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.

UK broadcasters BT Sport 2 are showing both matches live. Perth Scorchers v Sydney Thunder will be shown from 3.15am, followed by Brisbane Heat v Sydney Sixers from 8am.

What does the weather look like? 

A warm and dry day is forecast, meaning – hopefully – an entire round of fixtures uninterrupted by rain.