The WBBL will return with all guns blazing on the Seven Network this week, with the world’s #1 T20 competition boasting the most star-studded player line-up in tournament history.
It all begins tomorrow night when Aussie superstars Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy lead the Sydney Sixers into battle against their national captain Meg Lanning and the Melbourne Stars in BBL 07’s first match at 7.30pm AEDT on 7mate.
That’s just the start of an electrifying opening week of WBBL on Seven that includes live and free double-headers on both Saturday and Sunday, featuring the fan favourites that have taken Australia to the top of world cricket and the biggest array of international stars ever assembled for a T20 tournament.
On Saturday on 7mate, Melbourne Renegades v. Hobart Hurricanes at 3.30pm AEDT will be followed by last year’s champions Sydney Thunder v. Adelaide Strikers at 7.00pm AEDT.
On Sunday, fans will enjoy Perth Scorchers v. Brisbane Heat at 10.00am AEDT on 7mate, before Hobart Hurricanes v. Sydney Sixers at 1.30pm AEDT on Channel 7 in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, and 7mate in Perth.
In a blockbuster 2021-22 summer of cricket, Seven will broadcast 24 WBBL matches live and free, including all three finals next month.
Seven’s coverage will be led by cricket’s #1 commentary team, which again features Lisa Sthalekar, Abbey Gelmi, Erin Holland, Brad Hodge, Jason Richardson, Andy Maher and Alister Nicholson, while former Australian leg spinner Kristen Beams and ex-Melbourne Stars wicketkeeper Emma Inglis also join the all-star line-up.
For the first time in WBBL history, India’s powerhouse national team will be well represented this season, with eight players signing on following the recent international series against Australia, including Indian T20 captain Harmanpreet Kaur (Melbourne Renegades), Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma (both Sydney Thunder) and Richa Ghosh (Hobart Hurricanes).
The cavalcade of global talent does not stop there, with South African captain Dane van Niekerk (Adelaide Strikers) and her predecessor Mignon du Preez (Hobart Hurricanes) also set to thrill Australian crowds, along with Sri Lankan T20 captain Chamari Athapaththu and New Zealand star all-rounder Sophie Devine (both Perth Scorchers).
Former Australian women’s captain Lisa Sthalekar said:
“We had a perfect start to the summer of cricket with the hotly contested women’s international series between Australia and India. Now we get to the world’s best T20 domestic competition in the women’s game, the WBBL. With a number of key changes within each club, we will see some of the biggest stars don different colours as all clubs chase the trophy.
“We’ll also get to see eight Indian players, the most so far in a WBBL season. I expect them to have an impact on how the season unfolds, along with the fresh Australian faces who recently made their international debuts. I can’t wait for the tournament to begin.”
Managing Director Seven Melbourne and Head of Network Sport, Lewis Martin, said:
“The WBBL stands alone as the premier women’s T20 competition and this season is going to be the greatest ever.
“International cricket’s biggest stars have come together like never before, so the scene is set for the most explosive white-ball action you’ll ever see. With the BBL and men’s and women’s Ashes series also still to come in 2021-22, it’s going to be a summer you’ll never forget on Your Home of Cricket.”
WBBL opening match 7.30pm AEDT Thursday on 7mate Sydney Sixers v. Melbourne Stars
TV broadcast times on Seven:
WBBL 07
Thursday 14 October
Match 1 – Sydney Sixers v. Melbourne Stars (Blundstone Arena)
Sydney 7.30pm LIVE on 7mate
Melbourne 7.30pm LIVE on 7mate
Brisbane 6.30pm LIVE on 7mate
Adelaide 7.00pm LIVE on 7mate
Perth 4.30pm LIVE on 7mate
Saturday 16 October
Match 2 – Melbourne Renegades v. Hobart Hurricanes (Blundstone Arena)
Sydney 3.30pm LIVE on 7mate
Melbourne 3.30pm LIVE on 7mate
Brisbane 2.30pm LIVE on 7mate
Adelaide 3.00pm LIVE on 7mate
Perth 12.30pm LIVE on 7mate
Match 3 – Sydney Thunder v. Adelaide Strikers (Blundstone Arena)
Sydney 7.00pm LIVE on 7mate
Melbourne 7.00pm LIVE on 7mate
Brisbane 6.00pm LIVE on 7mate
Adelaide 6.30pm LIVE on 7mate
Perth 4.00pm LIVE on 7mate
Sunday 17 October
Match 4 – Perth Scorchers v. Brisbane Heat (Blundstone Arena)
Sydney 10.00am LIVE on 7mate
Melbourne 10.00am LIVE on 7mate
Brisbane 9.00am LIVE on 7mate
Adelaide 9.30am LIVE on 7mate
Perth 7.00am LIVE on 7mate
Match 5 – Hobart Hurricanes v. Sydney Sixers (Blundstone Arena)
Sydney 1.30pm LIVE on Channel 7
Melbourne 1.30pm LIVE on Channel 7
Brisbane 12.30pm LIVE on Channel 7
Adelaide 1.00pm LIVE on Channel 7
Perth 10.30am LIVE on 7mate
Need to comment on commtators on wbbl
Jason Richardson does not know a thing just reads scores time and time again.
Brad Hodge talks non stop would have sore throat every day
The women are much better but giggle on a fly going up the wall
Regards Garry