The Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) is the premier women’s T20 cricket competition in Australia, launched in 2015 by Cricket Australia. Since its inception, the WBBL has not only raised the profile of women’s cricket in Australia but has also played a pivotal role in promoting and developing female cricket globally. The competition features the best players from Australia and around the world, showcasing exciting, fast-paced cricket in a format that mirrors the men’s Big Bash League (BBL).
As of 2024, the WBBL consists of 8 teams, which are spread across key cities and regions in Australia. These teams compete in a round-robin format during the regular season, followed by a finals series to determine the champion.
This article will delve into the number of teams in the WBBL, their histories, and key information about each franchise. We will also provide an overview of the competition’s format, achievements, and the role of these teams in the growth of women’s cricket.
Structure of the Women’s Big Bash League
The Women’s Big Bash League operates under a structure similar to the men’s BBL, with a round-robin group stage followed by a finals series. Each of the eight teams plays 14 regular-season matches, with the top 5 teams advancing to the finals.
- Regular Season: 14 matches for each team.
- Finals Series: The top five teams qualify for the finals, consisting of:
- The Qualifier: The top two teams compete, with the winner advancing directly to the final.
- The Eliminator: The third and fourth-place teams play to determine the next finalist.
- The Challenger: The loser of the Qualifier faces the winner of the Eliminator for the final spot in the grand final.
- The Final: The ultimate match to decide the WBBL champion.
The 8 Teams of the Women’s Big Bash League
Women’s Big Bash League: As of 2024, the WBBL has 8 teams, each representing a city or region in Australia. These teams have contributed significantly to the development of women’s cricket, both domestically and internationally. Below is an overview of each team, including their history, titles, and key players.
| Team | City/Region | Founded | Home Ground | Titles Won | Key Players |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide Strikers | Adelaide, South Australia | 2015 | Adelaide Oval | 1 | Sophie Devine, Tahlia McGrath, Megan Schutt |
| Brisbane Heat | Brisbane, Queensland | 2015 | Allan Border Field, The Gabba | 1 | Beth Mooney, Jess Jonassen, Georgia Redmayne |
| Hobart Hurricanes | Hobart, Tasmania | 2015 | Blundstone Arena (Bellerive Oval) | 0 | Rachel Priest, Rachael Haynes, Elyse Villani |
| Melbourne Renegades | Melbourne, Victoria | 2015 | Marvel Stadium (Docklands) | 1 | Danielle Wyatt, Erin Osborne, Sophie Molineux |
| Melbourne Stars | Melbourne, Victoria | 2015 | Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) | 0 | Meg Lanning, Elyse Villani, Annabel Sutherland |
| Perth Scorchers | Perth, Western Australia | 2015 | Optus Stadium (formerly WACA) | 4 | Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry, Taneale Peschel |
| Sydney Sixers | Sydney, New South Wales | 2015 | Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) | 3 | Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy, Sarah Aley |
| Sydney Thunder | Sydney, New South Wales | 2015 | Sydney Showground Stadium (Qudos Bank Arena) | 1 | Rachael Haynes, Smriti Mandhana, Shabnim Ismail |
1. Adelaide Strikers
- Founded: 2015
- Titles Won: 1 (WBBL|04 – 2018-19)
- Key Players: Sophie Devine, Tahlia McGrath, Megan Schutt
- Home Ground: Adelaide Oval
- Overview: The Adelaide Strikers won their first title in the 2018-19 season. With strong performances from Sophie Devine and Tahlia McGrath, the team has consistently been competitive in every season.
2. Brisbane Heat
- Founded: 2015
- Titles Won: 1 (WBBL|06 – 2020-21)
- Key Players: Beth Mooney, Jess Jonassen, Georgia Redmayne
- Home Ground: Allan Border Field, The Gabba
- Overview: The Brisbane Heat claimed their first title in the 2020-21 season. Beth Mooney has been a star player for the team, contributing significantly with the bat.
3. Hobart Hurricanes
- Founded: 2015
- Titles Won: 0
- Key Players: Rachel Priest, Rachael Haynes, Elyse Villani
- Home Ground: Blundstone Arena (Bellerive Oval)
- Overview: While the Hurricanes have been competitive, they are yet to win a WBBL title. Players like Elyse Villani and Rachel Priest have been instrumental in their performances.
4. Melbourne Renegades
- Founded: 2015
- Titles Won: 1 (WBBL|03 – 2017-18)
- Key Players: Danielle Wyatt, Erin Osborne, Sophie Molineux
- Home Ground: Marvel Stadium (Docklands)
- Overview: The Melbourne Renegades won their first title in 2017-18. With strong all-round performances and key contributions from Sophie Molineux, the Renegades were a dominant force during their title-winning campaign.
5. Melbourne Stars
- Founded: 2015
- Titles Won: 0
- Key Players: Meg Lanning, Elyse Villani, Annabel Sutherland
- Home Ground: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
- Overview: Despite having a strong squad with top players like Meg Lanning, the Melbourne Stars have not yet won a WBBL title. They have reached the final multiple times but have always fallen short.
6. Perth Scorchers
- Founded: 2015
- Titles Won: 4 (WBBL|02, WBBL|04, WBBL|06, WBBL|08)
- Key Players: Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry, Taneale Peschel
- Home Ground: Optus Stadium (formerly WACA)
- Overview: Perth Scorchers are one of the most successful teams in the WBBL with 4 titles. Known for their strong bowling attack and dynamic batting line-up, the Scorchers have set the standard in the competition.
7. Sydney Sixers
- Founded: 2015
- Titles Won: 3 (WBBL|01, WBBL|03, WBBL|06)
- Key Players: Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy, Sarah Aley
- Home Ground: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)
- Overview: The Sydney Sixers have been incredibly successful, winning 3 titles. Their strong team dynamics and all-round performances, particularly from Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy, have helped them become one of the dominant forces in the WBBL.
8. Sydney Thunder
- Founded: 2015
- Titles Won: 1 (WBBL|05 – 2019-20)
- Key Players: Rachael Haynes, Smriti Mandhana, Shabnim Ismail
- Home Ground: Sydney Showground Stadium (Qudos Bank Arena)
- Overview: The Sydney Thunder won their first WBBL title in 2019-20. With players like Smriti Mandhana and Rachael Haynes, they built a strong team that secured the championship.
Women’s Big Bash League Team Achievements
Women’s Big Bash League: The following table summarizes the titles won by each team in the WBBL up to the 2023-24 season.
| Team | Titles Won | Finals Appearances | Years Won | Highest Finish (Other than Titles) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perth Scorchers | 4 | 6 | WBBL | 02, WBBL |
| Sydney Sixers | 3 | 5 | WBBL | 01, WBBL |
| Brisbane Heat | 1 | 4 | WBBL | 06 |
| Melbourne Renegades | 1 | 3 | WBBL | 03 |
| Sydney Thunder | 1 | 3 | WBBL | 05 |
| Adelaide Strikers | 1 | 3 | WBBL | 04 |
| Melbourne Stars | 0 | 3 | None | 2nd (WBBL |
| Hobart Hurricanes | 0 | 2 | None | 2nd (WBBL |
Women’s Big Bash League: Conclusion
Women’s Big Bash League: The Women’s Big Bash League has rapidly become one of the premier competitions for women’s T20 cricket globally, and the eight teams have played a central role in its success. The competition’s format provides thrilling, high-stakes cricket, with teams like the Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers leading the way with multiple titles. As the WBBL continues to grow in stature, it is clear that these teams will remain central to the continued development and promotion of women’s cricket worldwide.
With a talented pool of international and Australian players, the future of the WBBL looks bright, and the rivalry between these eight teams only adds to the excitement each season.