Sydney Sixers to take on Melbourne Stars in WBBL09 opener

The Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) will have matches scheduled at the MCG, SCG, and the Adelaide Oval as Cricket Australia (CA) announced the fixtures on Thursday (July 13). Finalists of WBBL08 Sydney Sixers will take on Melbourne Stars in the opening match on October 19 and the final will be played on December 2.

59 matches of the tournament will be played in 45 days and  this is the first time they are returning the iconic MCG and SCG since WBBL went standalone from the 2019 edition. Defending champions Adelaide Strikers will kickstart their campaign with the match against Stars at the Karen Rolton Oval on October 21.

“WBBL09 is building as our biggest tournament yet, from the first women’s overseas player draft to historic matches at three of Australia’s most iconic stadiums and other venues across the country that are synonymous with the WBBL," Alistair Dobson, General Manager of Big Bash Leagues said.

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“The WBBL has long been the world’s leading cricket league for women and the natural progression of the League is to have the best players in the world playing in the best cricket venues in the world. Clubs, players and fans will benefit from more home games in each market and each team featuring at home in the first nine days of the tournament. Players will be paid more than ever in WBBL|09 with the salary cap per team doubling and the top players set to earn over $100,000."

October 20, the second day of the tournament will see Melbourne Renegades and Brisbane Heat start their campaign at the Junction Oval. On the same day Hobart Hurricanes and Perth Scorchers will take on each other at the University of Tasmania Stadium. Sydney Thunder will play their first match of the season on October 22 at the North Sydney Oval when they taken on cross city rivals Sixers.