Everything you need to know ahead of Women's Big Bash League 2023

The Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars will square off in a tantalising match to kick off the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) 2023 campaign on Thursday, October 19. The ninth season of the competition will pit eight teams against one another in 57 matches, culminating on December 2 in the final.

On October 21, the reigning champion Adelaide Strikers and the Melbourne Stars will play at home. Ellyse Perry, the great batting all-rounder, is scheduled to serve a one-match ban, therefore the Sydney Sixers, the runners-up from the previous season, will be without her for the first match against the Stars.

This season, great Caribbean all-rounder Hayley Matthews joins Team India captain Harmanpreet Kaur within the Melbourne Renegades squad. This season, Harmanpreet is the lone player from India participating in the competition. 

One of the well-known figures who will be making her Big Bash League debut during this season is rising English talent Lauren Bell.

Media rights to both air and stream domestic Australian events for seven years were recently acquired by Star Sports Network. Indian cricket fans have access to live streaming across the Disney+ Hotstar app as well as website, as well as the live broadcasts on Star Sports stations. However, for access to the live WBBL 2023 games on Hotstar, viewers will need to have a premium membership.

Squads for Women’s Big Bash League 2023:

Adelaide Strikers: Georgia Adams (England), Jemma Barsby, Darcie Brown, Dani Gibson (England),Tahlia McGrath, Anesu Mushangwe, Courtney Neale, Annie O'Neil, Bridget Patterson, Maddie Penna, Megan Schutt, Katie Mack, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Ella Wilson, Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)

Sydney Sixers: Ellyse Perry (captain), Jade Allen, Mathilda Carmichael, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Emma Hughes, Suzie Bates (New Zealand), Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Jess Kerr (New Zealand), Kate Pelle, Kate Peterson, Gabby Sutcliffe, Chloe Tryon (South Africa) 

Sydney Thunder: Sam Bates, Lauren Bell (England), Paris Bowdler, Hannah Darlington, Marizanne Kapp (South Africa), Phoebe Litchfield, Claire Moore, Olivia Porter, Lauren Smith, Tahlia Wilson, Saskia Horley, Ebony Hoskin, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Heather Knight (England), Anika Learoyd. 

Melbourne Stars: Meg Lanning (c), Maia Bouchier (England), Alice Capsey (England), Milly Illingworth, Rhys McKenna, Sasha Moloney, Jasmine Nevins, Sophie Reid, Annabel Sutherland, Sophie Day, Sophia Dunkley (England), Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Kim Garth, Olivia Henry,

Melbourne Renegades: Tammy Beaumont (England), Sarah Coyte, Josie Dooley, Jess Duffin, Ellie Falconer, Rhiann O'Donnell, Georgia Prestwidge, Georgia Wareham, Courtney Webb, Ella Hayward, Harmanpreet Kaur (India), Erica Kershaw, Hayley Matthews (West Indies), Sophie Molineux, 

Brisbane Heat: Mignon du Preez (South Africa), Lucy Hamilton, Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Laura Harris,Mikayla Hinkley, Ellie Johnston, Jess Jonassen, Amelia Kerr (New Zealand), Bess Heath (England), Charli Knott, Grace Parsons, Georgia Redmayne, Courtney Sippel, Georgia Voll. Replacement player: Sarah Glenn (England)