Women's Big Bash League
{{short description|Australian professional twenty20 cricket league}}
{{About|the women's tournament|the men's tournament|Big Bash League}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Infobox cricket tournament main
| name = Women's Big Bash League
| image = Weber wbbl logo.png
| caption = Logo of the Women's Big Bash League
| alt = Refer to caption
| country = Australia
| administrator = Cricket Australia
| cricket format = Twenty20
| first = 2015–16
| last = 2024–25
| next =
| tournament format = Double round-robin and knockout finals
| participants = 8
| champions = Melbourne Renegades
| most successful = Sixers, Strikers, Heat, Thunder – 2 titles each
| qualification =
| most runs = Beth Mooney – 4,665
| most wickets = Jess Jonassen – 165
| TV = Seven Network
Fox Cricket
| website = {{url|https://www.cricket.com.au/big-bash|WBBL}}
| current =
}}
{{Season sidebar
| title = Tournaments
| list =
}}
The Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) also known as Weber WBBL for sponsorship reasons, is the Australian professional Women's Twenty20 Cricket league. The WBBL replaced the Australian Women's Twenty20 Cup, which ran from the 2007–08 season through to 2014–15. The competition features eight city-based franchises, branded identically to the men's Big Bash League (BBL).{{cite news|date=19 February 2015|title=Women's Big Bash League announced by Cricket Australia, teams mirrored to men's competition|work=ABC News (Australia)|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-19/ca-announces-women27s-big-bash-league/6146036|access-date=23 May 2015}} Teams are made up of current and former Australian national team members, the country's best young talent, and up to three overseas marquee players.
The league, which originally ran alongside the BBL, has experienced a steady increase in media coverage and popularity since its inception, moving to a fully standalone schedule for WBBL{{!}}05.{{Cite web|url=https://www.perthscorchers.com.au/news/the-next-era-of-wbbl/2019-06-11|title=The Next Era Of WBBL|website=Perth Scorchers|language=en|access-date=2019-12-05}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/ratings-wbbl05-womens-big-bash-league-watch-live-broadcast-standalone/2019-11-08|title=WBBL standalone season proving an early hit|website=cricket.com.au|language=en|access-date=2019-12-05}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/jan/17/wbbls-elite-level-product-pays-off-in-numbers|title=WBBL's elite level product pays off in numbers {{!}} Megan Maurice|last=Maurice|first=Megan|date=2019-01-16|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-12-05|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}} In 2018, ESPNcricinfo included the inaugural season in its 25 Moments That Changed Cricket series, calling it "the tournament that kick-started a renaissance".{{Citation|title=How The first WBBL season changed cricket (22/25)| date=22 December 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLv6SRH3bdY&list=PLQgjCbIRdiFWjLnaEK7FGJBGX59Lj364s|language=en|access-date=2019-12-05}}
The Adelaide Strikers are the current champions, winning back to back titles in 2022–23 Women's Big Bash League season and 2023–24 Women's Big Bash League season. The collective performance of the Sydney Sixers and the Sydney Thunder in the league's initial years—combining for four championships in the first six seasons—has partially echoed the dominance of New South Wales in the Women's National Cricket League (WNCL), the 50-over counterpart of the WBBL.
History
=Women's International Cricket League=
In early 2014, the formation of an international women's Twenty20 competition, based around the franchise model of the Indian Premier League was announced. Headed by former Australian cricketer Lisa Sthalekar and Australian businessman Shaun Martyn, the proposal involved six privately owned Singapore-based teams with players earning over $US40,000 per season.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/women/content/story/745709.html |title=Proposed women's T20 league 'awesome' - Bates |publisher=ESPN Cricinfo |date=2014-05-19 |access-date=2016-01-09}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/27586582 |title=Women's Twenty20: New IPL-style league planned by Australian pair |author=Alison Mitchell |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=2014-05-27 |access-date=2016-01-09}}
There was strong support from top female players for the Women's International Cricket League (WICL) concept, and backing was sought from the International Cricket Council, while former international cricketers Geoff Lawson and Clive Lloyd were on the board of the organisation.
The concept was dealt a blow in early June, when the England and Wales Cricket Board announced that they would refuse to release centrally contracted English players. At the same time, Cricket Australia (CA) announced it would not endorse the WICL either. Both organisations expressed concern that the tournament was not being run by a national cricket board, but a private company.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/27715383 |title=Women's International Cricket League vows to continue plans |publisher=BBC |date=2014-06-05 |access-date=2016-01-09}}
=Australian Women's Twenty20 Cup=
Before the establishment of the Women's Big Bash League, Cricket Australia conducted a national T20 competition: the Australian Women's Twenty20 Cup. The tournament ran in conjunction with the WNCL (the national women's 50-over competition) with the final played as a double header alongside the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash and later the Big Bash League. The competition ran from the 2009–10 season to 2014–15 after some exhibition games were held from 2007 to 2009.
Cricket Australia decided to replace the competition with the Women's Big Bash League in an attempt to further heighten the profile and professionalism of elite-level female cricket, thereby ideally helping to grow grassroots participation and viewership of the game among girls and women across the country.{{Cite web|date=2015-07-10|title=Cricket Australia launches Women's Big Bash League|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-10/cricket-australia-launches-women27s-big-bash-league/6611526|access-date=2020-07-29|website=www.abc.net.au|language=en-AU}}
Establishment
On 19 January 2014, former Australian national team captain Belinda Clark revealed the planning for a women's BBL was in its early stages, with CA keen to take advantage of the rising popularity of women's cricket and the success of the men's BBL in its first season on free-to-air TV.{{cite web |title=CA looks at a female Big Bash |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/cricket/ca-looks-at-a-female-big-bash/news-story/76522dc25598c5b9242b50c67051ee48 |website=The Australian |access-date=5 December 2019}} On 19 February 2015, Cricket Australia announced that a Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) would commence in 2015–16, with teams aligned to the current men's competition.{{cite news|url=http://www.cricket.com.au/news/womens-big-bash-league-to-align-with-mens-big-bash-league-clubs/2015-02-19|title=Eight teams announced for Women's BBL|publisher=cricket.com.au|date=19 February 2015}} Each team's first player signing was unveiled at the official WBBL launch on 10 July 2015.{{Cite web|title=Major signings unveiled at WBBL launch|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/women-big-bash-league-wbbl-season-launch-meg-lanning-ellyse-perry/2015-07-10|access-date=2020-07-29|website=cricket.com.au|language=en}}
Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland stated in a media release: "We see T20 as the premium format of the women's game and the WBBL is an exciting concept that will increase the promotion and exposure of women's cricket."{{Cite web|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/womens-big-bash-league-to-align-with-mens-big-bash-league-clubs/2015-02-19|title=Eight teams announced for Women's BBL|website=cricket.com.au}} He went on to claim: "Our existing female domestic competitions are arguably the strongest in the world, with the continued success of the top-ranked women's team, the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars, a testament to that." Cricket Australia executive Mike McKenna said: "Our goal is to see cricket become the sport of choice for women and girls across the nation, whether as participants or fans."{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-10/cricket-australia-launches-women27s-big-bash-league/6611526|title = Cricket Australia launches Women's Big Bash League| newspaper=ABC News |date = 10 July 2015}}
On 13 October 2015, 100 of Australia's elite cricketers joined to pledge $20 million towards the growth of cricket in Australia, to help grassroots level Cricket, support former players and develop further opportunities for female cricketers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/cricket/current-australian-cricketers-pledge-20-million-towards-growth-of-game/news-story/609892cc5160b94cb8de4776a32f690c|title=Star power ignites cricket's growth|first1=Carly|last1=Adno|date=13 October 2015|website=dailytelegraph}}
Teams
{{Location map+|Australia|width=375|float=right|caption=Location of WBBL teams|places=
{{Location map~|Australia|coordinates={{coord|31|58|S|115|51|E}}|position=right|background=|mark=Orange pog.svg|label=Scorchers|label_size=100}}
{{Location map~|Australia|coordinates={{coord|34|52|S|138|29|E}}|position=left|background=|mark=Cyan pog.svg|label=Strikers|label_size=100}}
{{Location map~|Australia|coordinates={{coord|27|29|S|153|33|E}}|position=left|background=|mark=Turquoise pog.svg|label=Heat|label_size=100}}
{{Location map~|Australia|coordinates={{coord|42|52|S|147|22|E}}|position=left|background=|mark=Purple pog.svg|label=Hurricanes|label_size=100}}
{{Location map~|Australia|coordinates={{coord|37|49|S|144|8|E}}|position=left|background=|mark=Red pog.svg|label=Renegades|label_size=100}}
{{Location map~|Australia|coordinates={{coord|37|51|S|144|58|E}}|position=right|background=|mark=Green pog.svg|label=Stars|label_size=100}}
{{Location map~|Australia|coordinates={{coord|33|53|S|151|13|E}}|position=top|background=|mark=DeepPink pog.svg|label=Sixers|label_size=100}}
{{Location map~|Australia|coordinates={{coord|33|51|S|150|33|E}}|position=left|background=|mark=Lightgreen pog.svg|label=Thunder|label_size=100}}
}}
The competition features the same eight city-based franchises that make up the Big Bash League. Each state's capital city features at least one team, with Sydney and Melbourne featuring two.[http://www.bigbash.com.au/news/feature/women-big-bash-league-wbbl-all-you-need-to-know-melbourne-stars-perth-scorchers/2015-12-03 WBBL: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW] bigbash.com.au. Retrieved on 4 Dec, 2015 The Sydney Thunder, the Sydney Sixers and the Brisbane Heat have each won two of the first six championships. The disproportionate success achieved by the two teams based in New South Wales, i.e. the Thunder and the Sixers, vaguely mirrors the historical dominance of the New South Wales Breakers in the Women's National Cricket League. The Sixers reached four finals throughout the first six seasons—twice as many as any other team—while producing the best overall win–loss record, and various media outlets have described them as the "glamour team" of the league.{{Cite web|date=2019-10-16|title=Sixers assume usual WBBL favourites status|url=https://7news.com.au/sport/cricket/sixers-assume-usual-wbbl-favourites-status-c-508201|access-date=2021-07-11|website=7NEWS|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Pierik|first=Jon|date=2020-11-21|title=Rare Lanning failure as Stars dealt reality check|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/rare-lanning-failure-as-stars-dealt-reality-check-20201121-p56gnl.html|access-date=2021-07-11|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=WBBL04: Everything you need to know|url=https://thewomensgame.com/news/wbbl04-everything-you-need-to-know-516220|access-date=2021-07-11|website=The Women's Game}}
Although the Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars both use CitiPower Centre as their primary ground, they have historically differed in their choice of secondary grounds. The Renegades have hosted fixtures at regional venues west of Melbourne, such as Kardinia Park (both the major stadium and its neighbouring cricket field) and Eastern Oval, while the Stars have occasionally played home games at Casey Fields in Melbourne's south-east. A similar arrangement exists for the Sydney teams: the Thunder typically play home games at venues in the city's west while the Sixers tend to use grounds in the east, though both teams sometimes host fixtures at each other's primary ground due to the competition's "festival" structure which often sees multiple games scheduled at the same venue in a single day.{{Cite web|title=Festival weekends highlight standalone WBBL|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/wbbl-womens-big-bash-league-fixture-festival-weekend-standalone-schedule/2019-06-12|access-date=2021-07-11|website=cricket.com.au|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Festival weekends return as WBBL schedule takes shape|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/wbbl07-fixture-womens-big-bash-schedule-heat-sydney-melbourne-scorchers-strikers-hurricanes/2021-07-07|access-date=2021-07-11|website=cricket.com.au|language=en}}
Since the move to a standalone fixture in WBBL|05, the Hobart Hurricanes remain the only team to have the same primary venue as their male counterparts: the 20,000-capacity Ninja Stadium. With women's matches no longer played as double-headers alongside men's matches, the league has shifted away from the country's biggest stadiums, such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Adelaide Oval, in favour of smaller and more economically viable grounds. The intimate nature of these venues have been characterised as generating a relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere at WBBL games,{{Cite web|title=WBBL set for first standalone season|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/womens-big-bash-league-wbbl05-first-standalone-season-family-friendly-international-players/2019-01-28|access-date=2021-07-11|website=cricket.com.au|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=All You Need to Know for WBBL{{!}}05|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/ultimate-fans-guide-wbbl-fixtures-squads-tickets-schedule-players/2019-10-18|access-date=2021-07-11|website=cricket.com.au|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Priceline Pharmacy, Perry and Healy sign-on for WBBL|url=https://www.sydneysixers.com.au/news/priceline-pharmacy-perry-and-healy-sign-on/2016-10-21|access-date=2021-07-11|website=Sydney Sixers|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=WBBLI06 Tickets On Sale|url=https://www.sydneythunder.com.au/news/wbbl06-tickets-on-sale/2020-10-16|access-date=2021-07-11|website=Sydney Thunder|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=#smashemsixers: A report on the matchday presentation of Sydney Sixers Women's Big Bash League games|url=http://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/35094/1/%23smashemsixers-_A_report_on_the_matchday_presentation_of_Sydney_Sixers_Women’s_Big_Bash_League_games_%283%29.pdf|website=Western Sydney University}}{{Cite web|title=Exciting WBBL draw has been announced|url=https://thewomensgame.com/news/exciting-wbbl-draw-has-been-announced-498306|access-date=2021-07-11|website=The Women's Game}} which the league's teams have embraced—the Perth Scorchers, for example, have made a habit of encouraging spectators to bring their pet dogs along to matches at Lilac Hill Park.{{Cite web|title=More Scorchers Than Ever Before In WBBL07|url=https://www.perthscorchers.com.au/news/more-scorchers-than-ever-before-in-wbbl07/2021-07-08|access-date=2021-07-11|website=Perth Scorchers|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Squad Confirmed For Lilac Hill Weekend|url=https://www.perthscorchers.com.au/news/squad-confirmed-for-lilac-weekend/2019-11-22|access-date=2021-07-11|website=Perth Scorchers|language=en}}
| class="wikitable" |
| colspan="2" | Team
!Location{{efn|name=location1|Administrative and training base}} !Home ground{{efn|name=ground1|Primary ground for WBBL{{!}}08}} !Coach !Captain |
|---|
| style="background:#009FDF;" |
|{{nowrap|North Adelaide, South Australia}} |{{nowrap|Karen Rolton Oval}} |
| style="background:#00B3C4;" | |
| style="background:#69359C;" | |
| style="background:red;" | |
| style="background:#00B13F;" | |
| style="background:#ff8000;" |
|{{nowrap|East Perth, Western Australia}} |{{nowrap|Becky Grundy}} |
| style="background:#FF0090;" | |
| style="background:#96D701;" | |
Media coverage
= WBBL|01–WBBL|03 =
The 2015–16 Women's Big Bash League season was initially scheduled to have eight of the 59 matches air live on Australian free-to-air network One.{{cite web|website=TV Tonight|first=David|last=Knox|title=Women's Big Bash League coming to ONE|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2015/07/womens-big-bash-league-coming-to-one.html|access-date=11 July 2015|date=11 July 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-10/cricket-australia-launches-women27s-big-bash-league/6611526|title=Cricket Australia launches Women's Big Bash League|publisher=ABC News|date=10 July 2015|access-date=11 July 2015}} Impressive television ratings convinced Network Ten to move the broadcast of the first-ever Melbourne derby between the Stars and Renegades to their main channel.[http://www.cricket.com.au/news/women-big-bash-league-wbbl-one-hd-channel-10-meg-lanning/2015-12-23 WBBL derby promoted to main channel] cricket.com.au. Retrieved on 23 Dec, 2015 The all-Sydney clashes between the Thunder and the Sixers on 2 January and the final on 24 January were likewise upgraded, whilst the broadcast schedule was also expanded to include the two semi-finals on One.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/channel-10-womens-big-bash-league-sydney-derby-promoted/2016-01-06|title=WBBL broadcast matches upgraded|website=cricket.com.au|language=en|access-date=2019-12-04}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/wbbl-network-to-show-more-womens-cricket-after-ratings-hit-20160106-gm0h59.html|title=WBBL: Network to show more women's cricket after ratings hit|last=Decent|first=Jesse Hogan and Tom|date=2016-01-06|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|access-date=2019-12-04}}
Network Ten broadcast eleven games of the 2016–17 Women's Big Bash League season. The commentary team was again led by Andrew Maher and featured Mel Jones and Lisa Sthalekar alongside Jason Bennett and Pete Lazer.{{cite web
| title = Rebel Women's Big Bash League Fixtures 2016-17
| url = https://tenplay.com.au/sport/cricket/wbbl-fixtures
| access-date = 13 December 2016 }}{{cite web
| title = WBBL live stream: How to watch the Women's Big Bash League online or on TV
| publisher = The Roar
| date = 11 December 2016
| url = http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/12/11/wbbl-live-stream-how-to-watch-the-womens-big-bash-league-online-or-on-tv/
| access-date = 13 December 2016 }} Every game was also live streamed via the [https://www.cricket.com.au/promotions/cricket-australia-live/ Cricket Australia Live App], [https://www.cricket.com.au/ cricket.com.au] and the [https://www.facebook.com/WBBL WBBL Facebook page].{{Cite web|title=Every WBBL match to be broadcast live|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/wbbl-womens-big-bash-league-live-streamed-broadcast-matches-network-ten/2016-11-14|access-date=2021-08-20|website=cricket.com.au|language=en}}
A total of twelve 2017–18 matches were televised on free-to-air by Network Ten, including four on the opening weekend.{{cite web| url=http://www.cricket.com.au/news/big-bash-league-fixtures-2017-18-bbl07-season-wbbl03-expanded-list-43-matches-regional-centres/2017-07-31| title=Expanded Big Bash season announced| publisher=cricket.com.au| access-date= 9 December 2017}} The remaining 47 matches were live streamed on cricket.com.au, Mamamia and the Cricket Australia Live App.{{Cite web|title=Women's Big Bash and Mamamia join forces|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/womens-big-bash-league-deal-mamamia-live-streaming-matches-highlights-wbbl03/2017-10-17|access-date=2021-08-20|website=cricket.com.au|language=en}}
=WBBL|04–present=
In April 2018, as part of a new six-year broadcast rights deal, Cricket Australia announced 23 matches of each season (beginning with 2018–19) would be aired live on the Seven Network and simulcast on Fox Sports' dedicated cricket channel Fox Cricket, with the remaining 36 matches to be live streamed on the CA website and app.{{cite web|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/cricket-australia-broadcast-deal-media-channel-seven-fox-sports-tv-guide-how-watch-bbl-television/2018-04-13|title=CA announces new broadcast deal|publisher=cricket.com.au|access-date= 17 April 2018}}
Ahead of the 2019–20 season, Cricket Australia announced all 59 matches would also be streamed live and on demand through Kayo Sports.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cricketaustralia.com.au/media/media-releases/kayo-sports-wbbl-announcement/2019-10-04|title=Kayo Sports to stream every rebel Women's Big Bash League match in 2019-20 {{!}} Cricket Australia|website=www.cricketaustralia.com.au|access-date=2019-12-04}}
An additional three games were initially allocated TV coverage on the Seven Network and Fox Cricket for the 2020–21 season, taking the overall number of televised WBBL|06 matches to 26. Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia's Head of Big Bash Leagues, subsequently said: "The Rebel WBBL is the world's best cricket league for women and keeps getting better, which was reflected in a 21 per cent increase in multichannel audiences last season."{{Cite web|title=WBBL to claim more TV spotlight in new schedule|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/wbbl06-schedule-fixture-launch-dates-teams-womens-big-bash-league-wbbl/2020-07-15|access-date=2020-07-29|website=cricket.com.au|language=en}} After the season was rescheduled to take place entirely in a Sydney hub across a concentrated five-week period, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Seven's allocated number of games was altered to a total of 24. On 15 October 2020, Cricket Australia announced Fox Cricket would broadcast an additional twelve matches, bringing the total number of televised WBBL|06 games to 36.{{Cite web|title=Broadcasters expand commitment to rebel WBBL{{!}}06 season {{!}} Cricket Australia|url=https://www.cricketaustralia.com.au/media/announcements/wbbl/2020-10-15|access-date=2020-10-15|website=www.cricketaustralia.com.au}}
Coverage of the league received another boost for the following season with Fox Cricket broadcasting an additional 23 matches, meaning WBBL{{!}}07 would be the first time all games would be televised.{{Cite web|title=WBBL broadcast boost as schedule rejig completed|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/wbbl-fixtures-schedule-wbbl07-adelaide-perth-mackay-border-closures-broadcast-streaming-tickets/2021-10-07|access-date=2021-10-08|website=cricket.com.au|language=en}}
Sponsorship
= Naming rights =
Sporting goods retailer Rebel was the official naming rights partner for WBBL|01. Rebel extended its sponsorship for a further five seasons, concluding after WBBL|06.(25 November 2015). [http://www.cricket.com.au/news/rebel-new-name-rights-sponsor-womens-big-bash-league-wbbl01-meg-lanning-ellyse-perry-alyssa-healy/2015-11-25 "rebel throws support behind Women's BBL"] – Cricket.com.au. Retrieved 9 December 2015.{{Cite web|title=Rebel Extend WBBL Partnership|url=https://www.sydneythunder.com.au/news/rebel-continue-support-of-wbbl/2016-10-05|access-date=2019-12-05|website=Sydney Thunder|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Rebel renews title sponsorship of Women's Big Bash - SportsPro Media|url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/rebel-renews-title-sponsorship-of-womens-big-bash|access-date=2019-12-05|website=www.sportspromedia.com|date=7 December 2017 }} Ahead of WBBL|07, barbecue grill manufacturer Weber was announced as the league's new official naming rights partner.{{Cite web|date=2021-09-07|title=Women's Big Bash League Becomes Weber WBBL After Snaring Weber Barbecues As Naming Partner|url=https://www.bandt.com.au/womens-big-bash-league-becomes-weber-wbbl-after-snaring-weber-barbecues-as-naming-partner/|access-date=2021-09-07|website=B&T|language=en-US}}
= Apparel and headwear =
Majestic Athletic was the league's official team apparel supplier for the first six seasons. Ahead of WBBL|07, Nike became the competition's official apparel partner, designing and producing the playing, training and supporter wear for all eight teams.{{Cite web|title=Just did it: Big Bash lands Nike for new kit deal|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/bbl-wbbl-nike-kit-clothing-uniform-deal-bbl11-wbbl07-big-bash-leagues/2021-06-24|access-date=2021-09-07|website=cricket.com.au|language=en}} '47 became the league's official on-field headwear supplier in WBBL|05, replacing New Era.{{Cite web|date=2019-09-09|title=Big Bash League Signs NBA, NFL and NHL's Headwear Supplier For Upcoming Season|url=https://ministryofsport.com.au/big-bash-league-signs-nba-nfl-and-nhls-headwear-supplier-for-upcoming-season/|access-date=2021-09-07|website=Ministry of Sport|language=en-US}}
Development
= Tournament structure =
In the inaugural season, teams were required to play games in sporadic clusters, such as twice in an afternoon or four times across three days.{{Cite web|title='We played twice in one day!': Lanning tracks WBBL rise|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/video/meg-lanning-wbbl-womens-big-bash-league-melbourne-stars-perth-scorchers-direct-hit/2020-03-26|website=cricket.com.au|date=11 March 2020 |language=en|access-date=2020-05-24}} They were also forced to occasionally meet in neutral cities, with the most notable occurrence being the WBBL{{!}}03 final played between the Sydney Sixers and the Perth Scorchers at Adelaide Oval.{{Cite web|title=Recent Match Report - Perth Scorchers Women vs Sydney Sixers Women Final 2018 {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/18042/report/1118530/sydney-sixers-women-vs-perth-scorchers-women-final-womens-big-bash-league-2017-18|website=www.espncricinfo.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-24}} Although such practices have become less common, they are yet to be eliminated.{{Cite web|title=Festival weekends highlight standalone WBBL|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/wbbl-womens-big-bash-league-fixture-festival-weekend-standalone-schedule/2019-06-12|website=cricket.com.au|language=en|access-date=2020-05-23}}
The WBBL featured matches that were played as curtain-raisers to the men's Big Bash League until moving to a standalone format for the 2019–20 edition. Ahead of the 2018–19 season, Cricket Australia announced it would begin to introduce spectator admission fees for the league, starting with matches in Sydney.{{Cite web|title=Sydney WBBL teams to charge for tickets|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/sydney-wbbl-teams-to-charge-for-tickets-20181004-p507sv.html|last=Godde|first=Callum|date=2018-10-04|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|access-date=2020-05-24}} The WBBL{{!}}04 final at Drummoyne Oval became the league's first match to sell out.{{Cite web|title=WBBL Final: All you need to know|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/wbbl-womens-big-bash-brisbane-heat-final-drummoyne-tickets-broadcast-watch/2019-01-25|website=cricket.com.au|language=en|access-date=2020-05-23}}
Matches are typically played at boutique venues in each state's capital city, such as Junction Oval in Melbourne and Allan Border Field in Brisbane. However, regional centres have also embraced the opportunity to host WBBL games: on 5 January 2019 at Harrup Park in Mackay, a new record for the league's highest standalone attendance was achieved;{{Cite web|title=Record Breaking WBBL Mackay Weekend|url=https://www.brisbaneheat.com.au/news/record-breaking-wbbl-mackay-weekend/2019-01-07|website=Brisbane Heat|language=en|access-date=2020-05-23}} in another example, Cricket North West scheduled a weekend free of local cricket to maximise attendance for a WBBL{{!}}05 game at West Park Oval in Burnie.{{Cite web|title=Cricket North West fixture space set for WBBL|url=https://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/6381500/cricket-north-west-fixture-space-set-for-wbbl/|last=Fair|first=Alex|date=2019-09-12|website=The Advocate|language=en|access-date=2020-05-23}}
=Player salaries=
For WBBL{{!}}01, players would earn between $3000 and $10,000. This was in addition to the $7000 retainer which all female domestic cricketers would earn playing in the Women's National Cricket League (WNCL). Retainers for national representatives, of which a WBBL team can sign a maximum of five per season, ranged from $19,000 to $49,000 before taking match payments and tour fees into consideration.{{Cite web|title=Stars sign on for WBBL01|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/feature/womens-big-bash-league-wbbl-signings-charlotte-edwards-sarah-taylor-sarah-coyte-jess-jonassen/2015-09-29|website=cricket.com.au|language=en|access-date=2020-05-23}}{{Cite web|title=Cameron Launches Scorchers WBBL|url=https://www.perthscorchers.com.au/news/cameron-coup-launches-scorchers-wbbl-campaign/2015-07-10|website=Perth Scorchers|language=en|access-date=2020-05-23}}{{Cite web|title=CA's landmark pay deal for women|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/womens-cricket-australia-player-payments-huge-increase-lanning-perry-southern-stars/2016-04-06|website=cricket.com.au|language=en|access-date=2020-05-23}}
In April 2016, Cricket Australia (CA) increased its elite female player payment pool from $2.36 million to $4.24 million for the 2016–17 season. With maximum retainers rising to $65,000 for national representatives and up to $15,000 for the WBBL, the best Australian women cricketers would earn a base salary of around $80,000 before exceeding earnings of six-figures with match payments and tour fees. Minimum retainers also increased, with domestic players earning at least $7000 in the WBBL and $11,000 in the WNCL. Australia's top domestic female cricketers would earn $26,000.
In August 2017, after extensive negotiations with the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA), CA announced it would increase total female player payments from $7.5 million to $55.2 million. The deal, hailed as the biggest pay rise in the history of women's sport in Australia,{{Cite web|title=Australia's women cricketers now playing for love and money|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-12/female-cricketers-seeing-benefits-of-new-pay-deal/8893850|date=2017-09-11|website=www.abc.net.au|language=en-AU|access-date=2020-05-23}} meant domestic players in 2017–18 would earn at least $25,659 in the WNCL and a minimum of $10,292 (average of $19,926) in the WBBL.{{Cite web|title=Australia's female cricketers leap ahead in pay race {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/20677365/australia-female-cricketers-leap-ahead-pay-race|website=www.espncricinfo.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-23}}
For 2021–22, the last year of the original deal, domestic and national team players would earn an average of $58,000 and $211,000 respectively.{{Cite web|title=Cricket pay deal lauded as biggest windfall in women's sport|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-03/cricket-pay-deal-lauded-womens-pay/8772186|date=2017-08-03|website=www.abc.net.au|language=en-AU|access-date=2020-05-23}} However, days before the beginning of WBBL|07, CA and the ACA announced a $1.2 million increase in domestic retainers—$800,000 for the WNCL and $400,000 for the WBBL, resulting in a 22% and 14% pay rise for players in each respective league.{{Cite web|title=Cricket continues to lead the way with increased player payments for WBBL & WNCL|url=https://auscricket.com.au/news/cricket-continues-to-lead-the-way-with-increased-player-payments-for-wbbl-wncl|access-date=2021-10-12|website=Australian Cricketers' Association}}{{Cite news|date=2021-10-12|title=Female cricketers get pay rise as Cricket Australia strives for 'genuine parity'|language=en-AU|work=ABC News|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-12/australian-female-cricketers-receive-pay-rise/100533808|access-date=2021-10-12}} 98 women's players were signed to a WNCL state contract for 2021–22 (not including the 15 national players with a more lucrative Cricket Australia deal), 76 of whom also held a WBBL contract.{{Cite web|title=Pay gap closes but CA, ACA acknowledge more to do|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/womens-cricket-pay-increase-wbbl-wncl-2021-22-summer-gender-equality-pay-gap-disparity/2021-10-12|access-date=2021-10-12|website=cricket.com.au|language=en}}
In April 2023, CA and the ACA agreed to a new five-year Memorandum of Understanding that would see the player payment pool for women's cricket in Australia increase from $80 million to $133 million. Consequently the average WBBL retainer doubled to approximately $54,000 while the league's top earners would receive $133,000 per year. Domestic players featuring in both the WBBL and 50-over WNCL competition would on average earn $151,019 annually.{{Cite web |title=Big cash splash for Big Bash and women's game in pay deal |url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/memorandum-of-understanding-cricket-australia-players-payment-female-domestic-contracts-salary-money/2023-04-03 |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=cricket.com.au |language=en}}
The table below details the rise in minimum and average retainers for domestic players (those playing in both the WBBL and WNCL) and nationally contracted players since the inaugural WBBL season. These figures do not include other potential earnings such as match fees, marketing payments, and prize money. Additionally, the figures for national retainers do not include those players' WBBL contracts.
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%;"
|+ Retainers for women's cricket in Australia{{Cite web |title=WBBL and State Contracts have also seen significant increases under the new MOU. We are unashamedly proud that the signing of the new MOU sees women's cricket continuing to lead Australian sport. |url=https://twitter.com/ACA_Players/status/1642780628323299329 |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=Twitter |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=A major increase in women's remuneration along with increases for the BBL are key planks of a new five-year MOU between Cricket Australia (CA) and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) announced today. |url=https://twitter.com/ACA_Players/status/1642778981215895553 |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=Twitter |language=en}} |
| rowspan="2" |Season
! colspan="2" |Domestic player{{efn|name=domesticplayer|Players holding a contract with both a WNCL and WBBL team}} ! colspan="2" |National player{{efn|name=nationalplayer|Players holding a Cricket Australia national contract}} |
|---|
| align="center"
! Minimum ! Average ! Minimum ! Average |
| align="center"
|2015–16 |$10,000 |$13,000 |$19,000 |$34,000 |
| align="center"
|2016–17 |$18,000 |$22,000 |$40,000 |$52,500 |
| align="center"
| style="border-bottom-width: 2px;" |2017–18 | style="border-bottom-width: 2px;" |$35,951 | style="border-bottom-width: 2px;" |$55,000 | style="border-bottom-width: 2px;" |$72,076 | style="border-bottom-width: 2px;" |$94,600 |
| align="center"
|2022–23 |$49,172 |$65,660 |$88,485 |$111,775 |
| align="center"
|{{nowrap|2023–24}} |$71,945 |$111,192 |$110,606 |$139,719 |
=Quality of product=
== Scoring ==
Commentators have praised the rising standard of cricket displayed throughout the WBBL's early years, particularly the improved striking ability of batters.{{Cite web|title=The players provide the sparkle on WBBL's opening day {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25423301/the-players-provide-sparkle-wbbl-opening-day|website=www.espncricinfo.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-23}}{{Cite web|title=Of runs, records and astounding TV numbers {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/21755734/of-runs-records-astounding-tv-numbers|website=www.espncricinfo.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-23}} The inaugural season was typically dominated by bowlers, with the run rate sitting at 6.29 across the competition. By the 2018–19 season, it had increased to 7.31 with batters clearing the rope nearly three-times as often.{{Cite web|title=Thrilling finals cap off successful WBBL{{!}}04|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/wbbl-a-great-success-brisbane-heat-sydney-sixers-drummoyne-oval-video/2019-01-30|website=cricket.com.au|language=en|access-date=2020-05-23}} Although the rate of scoring remained steady from WBBL|04 to WBBL|05, the frequency of wickets taken and sixes hit decreased, indicating a more conservative approach by both batters and bowlers. This could possibly be attributed to the tournament's shift to the start of the summer, when pitches tend to be slower and less conducive to attacking play.{{Cite web|url=http://vicsportsturf.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/VCAWicketPrep20101.pdf|title=Basic Guide to Turf Cricket Pitch Preparation|first=John|last=Shannon|website=Cricket Victoria|language=en-UK|access-date=2021-08-20}}{{Cite web|title=What we've learnt from the WBBL so far|url=https://www.theroar.com.au/2019/11/01/what-weve-learnt-from-the-wbbl-so-far/|website=The Roar|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-23}}
The table below details the league-wide progression of batting strike rate and bowling strike rate as well as total sixes hit and centuries scored across the first eight seasons:
== Fielding ==
The 2015–16 final was noted for a poor level of fielding as both teams succumbed to the occasion's high pressure.{{Cite web|title=Thunder claim the first WBBL title|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/match-report/match-report-wbbl-final-sydney-thunder-sydney-sixers-ellyse-perry-alex-blackwell-mcg/2016-01-24|website=cricket.com.au|language=en|access-date=2020-05-23}} Conversely, the "incredible"{{Cite web|title=Incredible WBBL semi-finals leave Australia speechless after back-to-back final ball miracle finishes|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/haidee-birkett-takes-spectacular-catch-to-win-wbbl-semifinal/news-story/ed47f4d5f00e7121f7ec9d5b61cf88f3|date=2019-01-19|website=NewsComAu|language=en|access-date=2020-05-23}} semi-finals three seasons later at Drummoyne Oval featured exciting endings determined by "miracle" catching and run out plays which drew widespread acclaim.{{Cite web|title=Show-stopping fielding the highlight of WBBL semi-finals {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25799230/show-stopping-fielding-highlight-wbbl-semi-finals|website=www.espncricinfo.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-23}}{{Cite news|last=Maurice|first=Megan|date=2019-01-20|title=Women's cricket the winner in WBBL semis|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/jan/20/womens-cricket-the-winner-in-wbbl-semis|access-date=2020-05-23|issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web|title=Sydney Sixers Win WBBL Semi Final In A Dramatic Super Over|url=https://www.triplem.com.au/story/sydney-sixers-win-wbbl-semi-final-in-a-dramatic-super-over-125487|website=Triple M|language=en|access-date=2020-05-23}} In an opinion piece for The Sydney Morning Herald, former Australian cricketer Geoff Lawson highlighted these moments of "precision" as a sign that the league had rapidly transformed into a "serious professional sporting competition" which justified CA's investment in women's cricket.{{Cite web|title=Given a Fairbreak, the WBBL has shown its true value|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/given-a-fairbreak-the-wbbl-has-shown-its-true-value-20190126-p50tu0.html|last=Lawson|first=Geoff|date=2019-01-26|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|access-date=2020-05-23}}
== Overseas players ==
The level of competition in the WBBL is enhanced by luring many of the best overseas players to Australian shores, with each team allowed up to three "marquee" signings of cricketers from other countries. South African bowler Marizanne Kapp and New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine are among the international signings who have been permanent fixtures in the league.{{Cite web|title=WBBL{{!}}05 Fan's guide: Sydney Sixers|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/sydney-sixers-wbbl05-womens-big-bash-preview-mel-jones-perry-healy/2019-10-11|website=cricket.com.au|language=en|access-date=2020-05-23}}{{Cite web|title=Kiwi duo back in blue|url=https://www.adelaidestrikers.com.au/news/kiwi-duo-back-in-blue/2019-07-04|website=Adelaide Strikers|language=en|access-date=2020-05-23}} However, in November 2019, after some WBBL squads had been heavily impacted by conflicting international cricket schedules—particularly teams featuring Indian and English players—newly appointed CA board member Mel Jones cited a need for greater cooperation between nations to give the league a clearer window.{{Cite web|title=WBBL needs clear air for international flair: Jones|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/mel-jones-womens-big-bash-league-wbbl-international-players-window-australia-england-india/2019-11-25|website=cricket.com.au|language=en|access-date=2020-05-23}}
== Australian players ==
Another feature of the league is the ongoing presence of all leading Australian female players, such as Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry.{{Cite web|title=Complete squad lists for WBBL{{!}}05|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/all-the-womens-big-bash-squads-wbbl05-player-movement-signings-lists/2019-10-17|website=cricket.com.au|language=en|access-date=2020-05-23}} This is a stark contrast to the BBL, in which many of the top male Australian players—including David Warner and Pat Cummins—are rarely able to participate due to Test and ODI commitments.{{Cite web|title=Cummins hoping schedule clears for a Big Bash return|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/pat-cummins-bbl-big-bash-league-bbl10-sydney-thunder-international-schedule/2020-05-21|website=cricket.com.au|language=en|access-date=2020-05-23}} Consequently, the WBBL is seen as an optimal means of fast-tracking the development of the country's most promising young players, enabling them to gain first-hand experience from world-class teammates and opponents.{{Cite web|title=Healy praises WBBL for growing young players|url=https://www.sydneysixers.com.au/video/alyssa-healy-praises-wbbl-for-helping-grow-young-players/2017-06-01|website=Sydney Sixers|language=en|access-date=2020-05-23}}{{Cite web|title=Thunder sign young gun Phoebe Litchfield|url=https://www.sydneythunder.com.au/news/phoebe-litchfield-signs/2019-10-10|website=Sydney Thunder|language=en|access-date=2020-05-23}} Ashleigh Gardner and Sophie Molineux are two examples of teenagers performing strongly in the league before going on to earn national selection by the age of 20.{{Cite news|last=Jackson|first=Russell|date=2017-01-09|title=Back yard to Big Bash: Ashleigh Gardner's star rises after intense year of cricket {{!}} Russell Jackson|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jan/10/back-yard-to-big-bash-ashleigh-gardners-star-rises-after-intense-year-of-cricket|access-date=2020-05-23|issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web|title=Molineux reflects on rapid rise to the top|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/sophie-molineux-wbbl-big-bash-melbourne-renegades-world-t20-final-australia-england/2018-11-24|website=cricket.com.au|language=en|access-date=2020-05-23}}
Tournament results
= Season summaries =
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;" |
| |Season
! |Edition ! |Champions ! |Most runs ! |Most wickets ! |{{nowrap|Player of the Tournament}} ! |Young Gun award ! |Refs |
|---|
| align="center"
|2015–16 |{{nowrap|Sydney Thunder}} |Meg Lanning (MLS) – 560 |Rene Farrell (SYT) – 26 |Meg Lanning (MLS)
|
| align="center"
|2016–17 |Meg Lanning (MLS) – 503 |Sarah Aley (SYS) – 28 |Beth Mooney (BRH)
|
| align="center"
|2017–18 |Ellyse Perry (SYS) – 552 |Katherine Brunt (PRS) – 23{{efn|name=wkts1|Sarah Aley (SYS) also took 23 wickets, but at a higher average.}}
|
| align="center"
|2018–19 |Ellyse Perry (SYS) – 778 |{{nowrap|Heather Graham (PRS) – 22}}{{efn|name=wkts2|Delissa Kimmince (BRH) also took 22 wickets, but at a higher average.}} |Ellyse Perry (SYS)
|
| align="center"
|2019–20 |{{nowrap|Sophie Devine (ADS) – 769}} |Molly Strano (MLR) – 24 |Sophie Devine (ADS) |{{nowrap|Hannah Darlington (SYT)}}
|
| align="center"
|2020–21 |Beth Mooney (PRS) – 551 |Sammy-Jo Johnson (SYT) – 22 |Sophie Devine (PRS) |Darcie Brown (ADS)
|
| align="center"
|2021–22 |{{nowrap|Perth Scorchers}} |Beth Mooney (PRS) – 547 |{{nowrap|Amanda-Jade Wellington (ADS) – 23}}
|
| align="center"
|{{nowrap|2022–23}} |{{nowrap|Adelaide Strikers}} |Beth Mooney (PRS) – 434 |Megan Schutt (ADS) – 27 |Tess Flintoff (MLS)
|
| align="center"
|{{nowrap|2023–24}} |2023–24 Women's Big Bash League season |Beth Mooney (PRS) - 557 |Sophie Day (MLS) – 27 |{{nobr|Chamari Athapaththu (SYT)}} |Charli Knott (BRH)
|
| align="center"
|2024–25 |{{nowrap|Melbourne Renegades}} |Ellyse Perry (SYS) – 424 |Alana King (PRS) – 20{{efn|name=wkts3|Samantha Bates (SYT) also took 20 wickets but one was outside of the regular season.}} |Ellyse Perry (SYS) and Jess Jonassen (BRH)
|
= Final summaries =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |
| |Final
! |1st innings ! |2nd innings ! |Result ! |{{nowrap|Player of the Final}} ! |Venue !Attendance |
|---|
| align="center"
|Sydney Sixers |{{nowrap|Sydney Thunder}} |{{nowrap|Thunder won by 3 wickets}} |Erin Osborne |{{nowrap|Melbourne Cricket Ground}}{{efn|name=venue1|Played as a double-header with the men's BBL final}} |N/A |
| align="center"
|Sydney Sixers |{{nowrap|Perth Scorchers}} |Sixers won by 7 runs |Sarah Aley |WACA Ground{{efn|name=venue1}} |N/A |
| align="center"
|Perth Scorchers |Sydney Sixers |Sixers won by 9 wickets |Sarah Coyte |Adelaide Oval{{efn|name=venue1}} |N/A |
| align="center"
|Sydney Sixers |Brisbane Heat |Heat won by 3 wickets |Beth Mooney |Drummoyne Oval |
| align="center"
|{{nowrap|WBBL{{!}}05 |{{nowrap|Adelaide Strikers |Brisbane Heat |Heat won by 6 wickets |Beth Mooney |Allan Border Field |
| align="center"
|2020–21 Women's Big Bash League season#Final |{{nowrap|Melbourne Stars |{{nowrap|Sydney Thunder |Thunder won by 7 wickets |Shabnim Ismail |North Sydney Oval |
| align="center"
|{{nowrap|Perth Scorchers |{{nowrap|Adelaide Strikers |{{nowrap|Scorchers won by 12 runs}} |Marizanne Kapp |Perth Stadium |
| align="center"
|2022–23 Women's Big Bash League season#Final |{{nowrap|Adelaide Strikers |{{nowrap|Sydney Sixers |{{nowrap|Strikers won by 10 runs}} |Deandra Dottin |North Sydney Oval |
| align="center"
|2023–24 Women's Big Bash League season#Final |{{nowrap|Adelaide Strikers |{{nowrap|Brisbane Heat |{{nowrap|Strikers won by 3 runs}} |Amanda-Jade Wellington |Adelaide Oval |
| align="center"
|2024–25 Women's Big Bash League season#Final |{{nowarp|Melbourne Renegades |{{nowarp|Brisbane Heat |{{nowrap|Renegades won by 7 runs (DLS)}} |Hayley Matthews |{{nowrap|Melbourne Cricket Ground}} |
=Team Summary by Season=
| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;" |
| Team
!{{nowrap|2015–16}} !{{nowrap|2016–17}} !{{nowrap|2017–18}} !{{nowrap|2018–19}} !{{nowrap|2019–20}} !{{nowrap|2020–21}} !{{nowrap|2021–22}} !{{nowrap|2022–23}} !{{nowrap|2023–24}} !{{nowrap|2024-25}} |
|---|
| style="align:center;"|Adelaide Strikers
| {{nom|7th}} | {{nom|8th}} |style="background:#afeeee;"|4th (SF) | {{nom|6th}} |style="background:yellow;"|2nd (RU) | {{nom|6th}} | style="background:yellow;"|4th (RU) |{{won|2nd (C)}} |bgcolor="9EFF9E" |1st (C) | {{nom|7th}} |
| style="align:center;"|Brisbane Heat
| {{nom|6th}} |style="background:#afeeee;"|3rd (SF) | {{nom|5th}} | {{won|3rd (C)}} | {{won|1st (C)}} | style="background:#afeeee;"|2nd (SF) |style="background:#afeeee;"|3rd (EF) |style="background:#afeeee;"|3rd (CF) |bgcolor="yellow" |3rd (RU) |bgcolor="yellow" |2nd (RU) |
| style="align:center;"|Hobart Hurricanes
|style="background:#afeeee;"|2nd (SF) |style="background:#afeeee;"|4th (SF) | {{nom|8th}} | {{nom|8th}} | {{nom|7th}} | {{nom|8th}} | {{nom|6th}} |style="background:#afeeee;"|4th (EF) |{{nom|6th}} |style="background:#afeeee;"|4th (EF) |
| style="align:center;"|{{nowrap|Melbourne Renegades}}
| {{nom|8th}} | {{nom|7th}} | {{nom|6th}} |style="background:#afeeee;"|4th (SF) |style="background:#afeeee;"|4th (SF) | {{nom|7th}} |style="background:#afeeee;"|2nd (CF) | {{nom|7th}} | {{nom|8th}} | bgcolor="9EFF9E" |1st (C) |
| style="align:center;"|Melbourne Stars
| {{nom|5th}} | {{nom|5th}} | {{nom|7th}} | {{nom|7th}} | {{nom|8th}} | style="background:yellow;"|1st (RU) | {{nom|5th}} | {{nom|6th}} | {{nom|7th}} | {{nom|8th}} |
| style="align:center;"|Perth Scorchers
|style="background:#afeeee;"|4th (SF) |style="background:yellow;"|2nd (RU) |style="background:yellow;;"|3rd (RU) | {{nom|5th}} |style="background:#afeeee;"|3rd (SF) |style="background:#afeeee;"|4th (SF) |{{won|1st (C)}} | {{nom|5th}} |style="background:#afeeee;"|2nd (CF) | {{nom|5th}} |
| style="align:center;"|Sydney Sixers
|style="background:yellow;"|3rd (RU) | {{won|1st (C)}} | {{won|1st (C)}} |style="background:yellow;"|1st (RU) | {{nom|5th}} | {{nom|5th}} | {{nom|8th}} |style="background:yellow;"|1st (RU) | {{nom|5th}} | {{nom|6th}} |
| style="align:center;"|Sydney Thunder
| {{won|1st (C)}} | {{nom|6th}} |style="background:#afeeee;"|2nd (SF) |style="background:#afeeee;"|2nd (SF) | {{nom|6th}} | {{won|3rd (C)}} | {{nom|7th}} | {{nom|8th}} |style="background:#afeeee;"|4th (EF) | style="background:#afeeee;"|3rd (CF) |
| cellpadding=2 style="border:1px solid DarkGray; font-size:100%"
|+ style="border:1px solid DarkGray; background:#eee;" |Legend | |||||
| bgcolor="9EFF9E" style="border:1px solid DarkGray; width: 30px" align=center| C | Champions | bgcolor="#afeeee" style="border:1px solid DarkGray; width: 30px" align=center | CF | Lost the Challenger | style="border:1px solid DarkGray; width: 30px" align=center| 1st | Regular season ranking |
| bgcolor="yellow" style="border:1px solid DarkGray; width: 30px" align=center | RU | Runners-up | bgcolor="#afeeee" style="border:1px solid DarkGray; width: 30px" align=center| KF | Lost the Knockout | ||
| bgcolor="#afeeee" style="border:1px solid DarkGray; width: 30px" align=center| SF | Semi-finalists | bgcolor="#afeeee" style="border:1px solid DarkGray; width: 30px" align=center| EF | Lost the Eliminator |
Statistics and records
{{hatnote|Statistics and records updated through to the end of WBBL {{!}}10}}
=All-time stats=
==Batting==
- Most runs: Beth Mooney (BRH, PRS) – 5,051
- Highest average: Ellyse Perry (SYS) – 48.84
- Highest strike rate: Laura Harris (BRH) – 159.17
- Highest score in an innings: Lizelle Lee (HBH) – 150* (75) vs Perth Scorchers, 10 November 2024
- Highest partnership: Alyssa Healy and Ellyse Perry (SYS) – 199* vs Melbourne Stars, 3 November 2019
- Most sixes: Sophie Devine (ADS, PRS) – 147
==Bowling==
- Most wickets: Jess Jonassen (BRH) – 179
- Lowest average: Julie Hunter (HBH) – 16.37
- Best economy rate: Julie Hunter (HBH) – 5.16
- Best strike rate: Nida Dar (SYT) – 14.76
- Best bowling figures in an innings: Megan Schutt (ADS) – 6/19 (3.3 overs) vs Sydney Thunder, 20 November 2022
==Fielding and miscellaneous==
- Most catches (fielder): Grace Harris (BRH, MLR) – 61
- Most dismissals (wicket-keeper): Georgia Redmayne (BRH, HBH, PRS) – 112 (66 catches, 46 stumpings)
- Most Player of the Match awards:
- Sophie Devine (ADS, PRS) – 27
- Beth Mooney (BRH, PRS) - 26
- Ellyse Perry (SYS) – 25
- Alyssa Healy (SYS) - 19
- Meg Lanning (MLS, PRS) – 18
==Team==
- Win–loss records:
| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:100%"
! Team ! {{Abbr | M | Matches played}} ! Won ! Lost ! Tied ! {{Abbr | NR | No result}} ! {{Abbr | W–L% | Percentage of matches won, excluding Ties and No Results}} |
| align=center
|145 |73 |65 |0 |7 |52.90 |
| align=center
|150 |88 |58 |0 |4 |60.27 |
| align=center
|140 |49 |84 |0 |7 |36.84 |
| align=center
|140 |57 |77 |0 |6 |42.54 |
| align=center
|138 |53 |75 |0 |10 |41.41 |
| align=center
|145 |75 |64 |1 |5 |53.96 |
| align=center
|145 |81 |58 |1 |5 |58.27 |
| align=center
|145 |69 |64 |0 |12 |51.88 |
- Highest score: Sydney Sixers – 4/242 (20 overs) vs Melbourne Stars, 9 December 2017
- Lowest score (all out):
- Melbourne Stars – 29 (9.3 overs) vs Adelaide Strikers, 21 October 2023
- Highest successful chase:
- Melbourne Renegades – 1/186 (17.1 overs) vs Adelaide Strikers, 11 November 2024
- Lowest successful defence: Sydney Thunder – 9/104 (20 overs) vs Melbourne Stars, 17 January 2016{{efn|name=chase1|Excluding shortened matches}}
- Biggest winning margin:
- Batting first: Adelaide Strikers – 148 runs vs Melbourne Stars, 21 October 2023
- Batting second: Brisbane Heat – 68 balls remaining vs Melbourne Stars, 10 January 2019
- Longest winning streak: Sydney Sixers – 9 matches
- Longest losing streak: Hobart Hurricanes – 10 matches
- Longest head-to-head winning streak: Sydney Sixers – 11 matches vs Hobart Hurricanes
= Single-season records =
- Most runs: Ellyse Perry (SYS) – 778 (WBBL|04)
- Most wickets: Sarah Aley (SYS) – 28 (WBBL|02)
- Most dismissals (wicket-keeper): Claire Koski (SYT) – 28 (WBBL|01)
- Most catches (fielder): Ellyse Perry (SYS) – 15 (WBBL|08)
- Most Player of the Match awards:
- Meg Lanning (MLS) – 6 (WBBL|01)
- Ellyse Perry (SYS) – 6 (WBBL|04)
- Sophie Devine (ADS) – 6 (WBBL|05)
- Team:
- Most regular season wins:
- Sydney Sixers – 11 (WBBL|08)
- Adelaide Strikers – 11 (WBBL|09)
- Best regular season NRR: Adelaide Strikers – {{Color box|white|+1.154|border=darkgray}} (WBBL|09)
- Most regular season losses:
- Hobart Hurricanes – 12 (WBBL|03, WBBL|04)
- Melbourne Stars – 12 (WBBL|05)
- Melbourne Renegades – 12 (WBBL|09)
- Worst regular season NRR: Hobart Hurricanes – {{Color box|white|−1.733|border=darkgray|}} (WBBL|03)
=Hat-tricks=
The following is a list of hat-tricks taken in the WBBL, in chronological order:
- Nicole Bolton (PRS) vs Hobart Hurricanes, 19 December 2015{{Cite web|url=https://www.perthscorchers.com.au/news/top-5-moments-of-wbbl01/2016-01-28|title=Top 5 Moments Of WBBL{{!}}01|website=Perth Scorchers|language=en|access-date=2019-12-04}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/18042/commentary/896469/hobart-hurricanes-women-vs-perth-scorchers-women-16th-match-womens-big-bash-league-2015-16|title=Get Ball by Ball Commentary of Hobart Hurricanes Women vs Perth Scorchers Women, Women's Big Bash League, 16th Match {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com|website=ESPNcricinfo|language=en|access-date=2019-12-04}}
- Gemma Triscari (MLS) vs Sydney Thunder, 15 January 2016{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/ESPNcricinfo/status/687888115680296960|title=Correction: Triscari took the second hat-trick, Nicole Bolton had the first |last=ESPNcricinfo|date=2016-01-14|website=@ESPNcricinfo|language=en|access-date=2019-11-06}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/video/wbbl-womens-big-bash-moments-gamme-triscari-hat-trick-wbbl-stars/2017-01-19|title=WBBL{{!}}01 Moments: Gemma Triscari's hat-trick|website=cricket.com.au|date=12 January 2017 |language=en|access-date=2019-12-04}}
- Amy Satterthwaite (HBH) vs Sydney Thunder, 16 January 2017{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/88481319/kiwi-bowler-amy-satterthwaite-claims-wbbl-hattrick-to-lift-hobart-to-victory|title=Kiwi bowler Amy Satterthwaite claims WBBL hat-trick to lift Hobart to victory|website=Stuff|date=16 January 2017|language=en|access-date=2019-12-04}}{{Citation|title=Sensational Satterthwaite takes a hat-trick| date=16 January 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q84wfluRvD0|language=en|access-date=2019-12-04}}
- Dane van Niekerk (SYS) vs Hobart Hurricanes, 17 December 2017{{Citation|title=Dane van Niekerk hat-trick|url=https://www.facebook.com/WBBL/videos/dane-van-niekerk-hat-trick/2027281010819068/|language=en|access-date=2019-12-04}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/swoop/hattrick-brings-sigh-of-relief-for-south-african-import-dane-van-niekerk/news-story/d66faa555a29099dcd67c297f2ec003a|title=Hat-trick brings sigh of relief for import|date=2017-12-20|website=www.dailytelegraph.com.au|language=en|access-date=2019-12-04}}
- Marizanne Kapp (SYS) vs Melbourne Stars, 26 October 2019{{Cite web|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/wbbl-big-bash-wrap-strikers-hurricanes-stars-sixers-scorchers-heat-renegades-thunder-highlights/2019-10-26|title=WBBL wrap: Thunder thriller caps action-packed day|website=cricket.com.au|language=en|access-date=2019-12-04}}
- Darcie Brown (ADS) vs Brisbane Heat, 24 October 2021{{Cite web|title=Hat-trick, century headline thrilling WBBL Sunday|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/wbbl07-wrap-report-highlights-strikers-heat-renegades-sixers-thunder-scorchers-brown-hat-trick/2021-10-24|access-date=2021-11-29|website=cricket.com.au|language=en}}
=Team of the Decade=
The team of the decade was announced on 28 November 2024.
- Beth Mooney (Brisbane Heat, Perth Scorchers)
- Alyssa Healy (wk) (Sydney Sixers)
- Meg Lanning (Perth Scorchers, Melbourne Stars)
- Ellyse Perry (c) (Sydney Sixers)
- Sophie Devine (Perth Scorchers, Adelaide Strikers)
- Grace Harris (Brisbane Heat, Melbourne Renegades)
- Jess Jonassen (Brisbane Heat)
- Marizanne Kapp (Perth Scorchers, Sydney Sixers, Sydney Thunder, Melbourne Stars)
- Amanda-Jade Wellington (Adelaide Strikers)
- Sarah Aley (Sydney Sixers)
- Megan Schutt (Adelaide Strikers)
- 12th: Molly Strano (Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Renegades)
See also
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.bigbash.com.au/wbbl}}
- [http://www.bigbash.com.au/fixture Schedule & Fixtures]
- [https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/index.html?id=720&type=trophy Series home at ESPN Cricinfo]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLv6SRH3bdY How The first WBBL season changed cricket], ESPNcricinfo
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