Approaching the half-way stage in the competition, the WBBL remains pretty close – apart from the Renegades, stuck at the bottom with just 1 win from 7 matches, only two points separate the Melbourne Stars in 1st place, from the Brisbane Heat in 7th!

The star of the Christmas period was definitely the Adelaide Strikers’ Sophie Devine, whose 48-ball century (103*) knocked the wind out of the Hurricanes, who had put themselves in a strong position with a total of 143, including 69 from Heather Knight. Devine is a fascinating player to watch – she does’t move much of anything, but she generates incredible bat-speed with a late whip of the wrists, sending the ball over the ropes for 6 on no less than 8 occasions in this innings.

In the Stars v Heat double-header, Meg Lanning made a match-winning 97* as the Stars set up a 54-run victory in the first match, whilst Beth Mooney was the star with 55 off 50 balls as the Heat got the revenge in the the following day’s sequel.

The Sydney Sixers leaped up to 3rd this week, with wins over the Thunder and the Hurricanes. Ash Gardner made some nice runs across the two matches; but it was really the bowling performances in the Hurricanes game in particular which made the difference. While Sarah Aley took the Player-of-the-Match plaudits for her 3-13, you can’t ignore the roles of openers Marizanne Kapp and Ellyse Perry – after the 1st over went for 8 runs, the next 4 went for just one run each, creating early pressure which left the Hurricanes chasing the game in vain from thereon in.

Meanwhile, the Perth Scorchers made short work of the Renegades in their only match of the week, as Elyse Villani posted her second 50 of the tournament, to keep them in the hunt.

12 months; 12 questions – how well do you remember 2016?

Let us know how you did in Have Your Say below!

(Syd just tested it, and he got one wrong… even though he wrote the quiz less than a week ago – ooops… as the kids say “hashtag embarrassing”!!)

Ireland have been drawn with India, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Thailand for next February’s World Cup Qualifiers in Sri Lanka; whilst Scotland will face South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Papua New Guinea in the group stages.

The top 3 teams from the group stages go through to a “Super Sixes” where they play the qualifying teams from the other group, whilst the points from their group stage matches against the qualifying teams from their own group are carried-through – the top 4 sides after the Super Sixes will qualify for England 2017.

Ireland ought to be ambitious about their qualification prospects – wins against Sri Lanka in the group stages, and then Pakistan in the Super Sixes, ought to be a realistic aspiration which would put them “on the plane” to England.

It will be tougher for Scotland, but qualification certainly isn’t out of the question – if they can make it out of the group stages, anything is possible – an upset victory in the Super Sixes, and other results going their way… stranger things have happened 😉

All 8 WBBL teams went into this weekend’s round of games level on 2 points, with only Net Run Rate separating them; but things are starting to open up a bit now, with the Stars and the Hurricanes leading the way.

In Melbourne, the Stars took on the Sixers, with the Sixers big names failing to fire – Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry and Dane van Niekerk made less than 20 runs between them over the two matches, with van Niekerk recording two ducks, as the Stars won both games with plenty to spare – Meg Lanning making runs in the first, whilst Jess Cameron and Katie Mack got the job done chasing in the second.

On the other side of Melbourne, things were somewhat closer as the Renegades took on the Hurricanes, but it was the Hurricanes who took the points on both occasions. In the first match, Amy Satterthwaite made 45 off 43 balls as the Hurricanes posted 133 – the Renegades falling just 4 short in their chase; whilst in the second, Satterthwaite was again in the runs, with 52 off 41 balls, and this time the Renegades took it to the first ever WBBL Super Over. For the Renegades, Rachel Priest and Grace Harris hit 12 off their Super Over, bowled by Satterthwaite, and the New Zealander… ever in on the action… was then out first ball of the Hurricanes reply, leaving it to Hayley Matthews and Erin Burns to carry it home, with Burns hitting a match-winning 4 off the final ball.

In Sydney, the Thunder hosted the Strikers, with the weather taking the points in the first match. In the second, a sub-par total of 102 from the Thunder was easily chased-down by the Strikers. The Strikers were without Charlotte Edwards, who pulled out after the warm-up with back spasms, but Sophie Devine’s 43 off 33 balls created a match-winning position from which Tahlia McGrath and Shelley Nitschke were able to get over the line with cool heads and no real alarms.

Finally, over at the WACA in Perth, honours were shared between the Scorchers and the Heat. The Scorchers cruised to an easy victory in the first game, Nicole Bolton leading the way with 46* off 43; but the tables were turned the following day as the Scorchers were held to just 94, keeper-opener Beth Mooney then chasing them down almost single-handedly with 67* to win the game for the Heat inside 13 overs.

England glove-butler Sarah Taylor, who has not played any cricket since the World T20 last March, has her sights set on a return to the national team in time for next summer’s World Cup in England.

Taylor admitted last May that she had been suffering for years from anxiety, affecting not just her cricket but all areas of her life; and she announced that she would be taking an extended break from the game in order to prioritise her recovery.

The ECB promised their support at the time, and they have shown continued faith in Taylor now by renewing her contract for a further two years, with coach Mark Robinson expressing his hopes today for her return:

“Sarah is doing really well with her return to cricket plan after taking some time away from the game for health reasons. Her aim has always been to be back playing and available for selection for the World Cup next summer, and we’ll continue to offer her the support she needs to achieve that goal.”

Although Taylor’s road to recovery has not been quick or easy, CRICKETher understands that corners have recently been turned, and just last week she tweeted a smiling selfie announcing that she had “kicked anxietys ass” in a visit to a shopping centre – hopefully more asses will be kicked again soon… ideally those of England’s opponents at the World Cup!

In another revolutionary move for women’s cricket, the ECB have today announced that the next wave of England Women’s contracts, which come into effect on 1st February 2017, will last for two years.

There will also be a new level of “rookie” contract for “players who sit just above the England Women’s Senior Academy squad, but who have not quite hit the level required to win a full central contract.”

Alex Hartley, having made her international debut against Pakistan this summer and followed it up with an incredible performance in the West Indies, has been awarded a full central contract, while Beth Langston has been awarded a “rookie” contract.

Unsurprisingly, Charlotte Edwards and Lydia Greenway (who both retired from international cricket earlier this year), alongside Becky Grundy, who was not selected for England’s series’ against Pakistan, West Indies or Sri Lanka, have all been removed from the list of centrally contracted players.

The contracts have also increased in value, although the ECB have given no indication of the scale of the pay rise (the top contracts were previously thought to be worth c.£50,000).

The two-year contracts will help to answer recent criticism that the short-term nature of women’s contracts makes it difficult for contracted players to feel any kind of job security.

The full list of contracted players is below:

Tammy Beaumont (Kent)

Katherine Brunt (Yorkshire)

Kate Cross (Lancashire)

Georgia Elwiss (Sussex)

Tash Farrant (Kent)

Jenny Gunn (Warwickshire)

Alex Hartley (Middlesex)

Danielle Hazell (Yorkshire)

Amy Jones (Warwickshire)

Heather Knight (Berkshire)

Beth Langston (rookie contract) (Yorkshire)

Laura Marsh (Kent)

Natalie Sciver (Surrey)

Anya Shrubsole (Somerset)

Sarah Taylor (Sussex)

Fran Wilson (Middlesex)

Lauren Winfield (Yorkshire)

Danielle Wyatt (Sussex)

After a frantic opening weekend, the sextuple-header at North Sydney Oval finished with 6 teams sharing 2 points at the top of the WBBL table.

Hayley Matthews starred with 48 off 38 balls as the Hurricanes beat the Scorchers in the opening game on Saturday; but the Scorchers got their own back the following day as a fifty from Elyse Villani set up a total of 142-4 – the Hurricanes falling well short in the chase, as Katherine Brunt, bowling with good pace, took 2-18.

https://twitter.com/HurricanesWBBL/status/807403874369667072

Charlotte Edwards and Tammy Beaumont scored just 3 runs off 5 balls between them as the Strikers were reduced to 21-4 against the unfancied Renegades, but the Strikers were bailed-out by Sophie Devine (43 off 38) to finish on 116, which they defended thanks to 4 run-outs in the field as the Renegades were bowled out for 102.

Like the Scorchers. however, the Renegades got their revenge the next day, despite 31 off 28 from Edwards and another blitz of 41 off 27 from Devine, the Renegades chased-down 128, with Danni Wyatt finishing on 34* off 32 balls.

In Saturday’s other match, Meg Lanning was eclipsed by fellow opener Emma Inglis, who struck 46 off 28 balls to set the Stars up for victory against the Thunder, despite a near-miracle WBBL debut from Harmanpreet Kaur, smashing 47* off 28 as the Thunder fell just 6 runs short.

Sunday’s final match saw the Sixers take on the Heat, setting them 138, with Alyssa Healy (48 off 42) and Ellyse Perry (42 off 42) doing the work early-doors. In reply, it wasn’t looking good for the Heat – after 10 overs they were just 46-4, with the required rate well over 9-an-over – but enter Deandra Dottin with the performance of the tournament so far – 60* off 44 balls to win the game.

https://twitter.com/HeatWBBL/status/807831266854715392

Overall then, a brilliant opening weekend, reflected in the viewing figures, with an average of 400,000 watching the two prime-time matches on free-to-air TV, peaking at over 600,000; whilst about 6,000 fans came through the turnstiles at North Sydney.

Back here in the UK all matches were shown live, either on BT Sport* or free online. Our only complaint would be the scheduling: Cricket Australia really need to do something about their time-zone, perhaps even consider moving it slightly – about 12 hours ought to do, or these all-nighters are going to kill us 😉

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* For the information of our overseas readers, BT Sport is a pay-channel which is available on-line for £5 a month on a 12-month contract. BT Sport have exclusive rights to all the “TV” matches, which will include the semis and final – these matches are region-locked in the UK otherwise – so we coughed, and consider it well worth it!

Following on from the news of Charlotte Edwards’ retirement from Kent after 16 seasons, Hampshire Cricket have today announced that Edwards will, as of the 2017 season, be representing Hampshire Women.

Having captained Southern Vipers – who are based at Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl – to victory in the inaugural KSL earlier this year, as well as being recently appointed a management board director of Hampshire CCC, a move to Hampshire makes logistical sense for Edwards. It will enable her to continue to play county cricket while also committing large portions of her time to KSL.

Bob Parks, Hampshire Women’s Head of Performance and the Southern Vipers Manager, said that he was “delighted  to welcome Charlotte to Hampshire ahead of the 2017 season. She has been exceptional during her time at the Ageas Bowl so far as part of the Southern Vipers and the immense value, experience and knowledge she adds will be key in driving the improvement of women’s and girls’ cricket in Hampshire and across the Southern Vipers region.”

While Vipers triumphed in the KSL, Hampshire currently linger in Division 2 of the County Championship, and will no doubt be hoping that Edwards can spur them on to promotion next season.

The Women’s Big Bash is back – bigger and bashier than ever! Last year, the Sydney Thunder lifted the trophy; but who will triumph this season? Will the Heat burn? The Stars shine? Or the Hurricanes blow? Read on to find out…

Brisbane Heat

Last Year: 6th

The Heat’s two English overseas have both departed – Kate Cross has not had the best year, so that wasn’t unexpected; but to lose Lauren Winfield, who has been in great form for England, looks careless to say the least. Winfield’s replacement, Smriti Mandhana, is a classy-looking player, but perhaps not best-suited to T20 – she averages 18 in T20 internationals at a Strike Rate of under 100 – Winfield averages 24 at a Strike Rate well over 100. The Heat’s hopes must rest largely on Jess Jonassen, who is probably the leading bowler in the world game right now, and Deandra Dottin, who needs no introduction; but much beyond that, they lack the strength in depth required to go long in such an intense competition.

Prediction: Group Stages

Hobart Hurricanes

Last Year: Semi-Finals

The Hurricanes have stuck with pretty-much exactly the same squad that defied expectations to power through to the semi-finals last season. In Heather Knight, they have a captain who will lead from the front; and if Hayley Matthews needed an introduction to Aussie fans last time out, she won’t now, after having run the Southern Stars through with a broadsword in the T2o World Cup Final back in April. But with other teams having strengthened, the likelihood has to be for a group-placed finish for the ‘Cane Train this time around.

Prediction: Group Stages

Melbourne Renegades

Last Year: 8th

After taking home the wooden spoon last year, the Renegades have marched then-captain Sarah Elliot behind the woodshed, replacing her with New Zealander Rachel Priest; and added an extra scoop to the batting sundae, in the shape of Southern Star Grace “Bomber” Harris – the only woman to score a century in WBBL|01. Danni Wyatt is back – though she continues to struggle for England, she has propsered in Australia in the past at Vic Spirit, so the potential match-winners are there, but beyond the big names, they look very fragile indeed.

Prediction: Group Stages

Perth Scorchers

Last Year: Semi-Finals

The Western Fury had a torrid time in the WNCL, finishing bottom of the table on nul points, after failing to win a game; but having lined-up a very strong overseas contingent of Suzie Bates, Katherine Brunt and Anya Shrubsole, alongside a strong native top order headed-up by Nicole Bolton and Elyse Villani, they must have been hoping for better things from the Scorchers. Unfortunately, however, Anya Shrubsole is still injured unavailable (see comments), and although she is theoretically coming back for the latter stages of the competition, you wouldn’t bet your last sixpence on it, and her replacement – Becky Grundy – just isn’t in the same class.

Prediction: Group Stages

Melbourne Stars

Last Year: 5th

In WBBL 1, the Stars were a bit of a one-woman show, and their early elimination essentially proved the old adage that cricket is a game played by eleven players not one, even if that one player is Meg Lanning! They are bolstered this year by Jess Cameron’s return to the leather and willow, and although they have lost Kristen Beams to injury, Dani Hazell is a pretty good replacement. They’ve also got Nat Sciver returning, who perhaps disappointed slightly in terms of runs last year, but more than made up for it with the ball, taking 18 wickets – if she can replicate her recent England form with the bat, the Stars are in with a big shout this time around.

Prediction: Semi-Finals

Sydney Thunder

Last Year: Winners

The Thunder topped the group stages last year, with 9 wins from their 14 league games, and went on to win the competition, beating the Sixers with 3 balls to spare in a low-scoring, and slightly anticlimactic, final. Unsurprisingly, they’ve kept pretty-much the same team this season, with Stafanie Taylor returning, having won the T20 World Cup and KSL Player of the Tournament in the meantime. Their one big signing is the new Indian T20 captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Harmanpreet had a brilliant recent T20 series with the bat versus the West Indies, making 68*, 43 and 60*, although India did lose the series 3-0; so it will be interesting to see if she brings that form with her, or her slightly more recent Asia Cup form, where India won the tournament, but she averaged just 12.

Prediction: Semi-Finals

Adelaide Strikers

Last Year: 7th

After disappointing last season, the Strikers have strengthened their batting line-up with Charlotte Edwards, who turns 37 later this month, but remains one of the best in the world, averaging 52 in WNCL, including a century against Queensland Fire; and Tammy Beaumont, who on good batting tracks with fairly short boundaries will be able to turn on the kind of attacking game she played against Pakistan last summer, and could be the signing of WBBL. Plus, with Megan Schutt, Sarah Coyte and Amanda-Jade Wellington, they’ve got enough quality bowling options to take them all the way to the final.

Prediction: Final

Sydney Sixers

Last Year: Final

Marizanne Kapp, Dane van Niekerk, Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy, Sara McGlashan, Lisa Sthalekar… you’d mug your own grandmother to have any one of them on your team, and the Sixers have got all of them – the other 5 players in the XI might hardly matter! Of course, Lisa Sthalekar has been semi-retired for a fair while now; and it looks like Sara McGlashan’s international career is over too, having been left out of recent New Zealand squads building towards the 2017 World Cup – but don’t count either of them out of making a big impact – experience matters, as we saw in the Kia Super League. But the key is Ellyse Perry – she is quite literally on top of the world right now, batting ridiculous numbers, and continuing to make a contribution with the ball, albeit at a more measured pace than she once did – her confidence is sky-high, and if there is one player who can win it on her own, she is it.

Prediction: Winners

The New South Wales Breakers, led by Australian vice-captain Alex Blackwell, beat the Queensland Fire, captained by Delissa Kimmince, in a one-sided WNCL final overnight.

Having won the toss and chosen to bat, the Fire got off to the worst possible start as their big-hitting wicket-keeper batsman Beth Mooney was caught at slip off the very first ball from Rene Farrell. Farrell went on to take two further wickets in a man-of-the-match-winning opening spell which, along with the run out of Kirby Short, reduced the Fire to 40-4 inside 9 overs. Jess Jonassen (21) Kimmince (24) and Jemma Barsby (30) fought back a bit, but the pressure to get runs on the board against a massive Breakers batting line-up was too much, and the Fire slumped to 119 all-out.

The Fire needed a miracle; but what they got was Alyssa Healy (56*) and Alex Blackwell (36*). In no mood to show mercy, the Breakers knocked off the runs in less than 25 overs, with Healy hitting the last 2 balls for 6 and 4 – slogging Delissa Kimmince back over her head on both occasions, with the confidence that comes from knowing you are sealing your 18th WNCL title in the 21 years the competition has been running in its current format.

PS – Massive thanks and kudos to Cricket Australia for live-streaming this match at near-broadcast quality, and to Lisa Sthalekar and Mel Jones for keeping us company throughout – it really does make such a difference when the commentators actually know their women’s cricket and have an in-depth insight into the players and the teams involved.

PPS – There also appeared to be a bigger crowd than in previous years – perhaps the “WBBL Effect” rubbing-off on other areas of the domestic game?