WBBL|12 Opening Day Preview: Times, Squads, Players to Watch
Published on October 28, 2026
Summary Overview: WBBL|12 starts on Thursday, October 29 with a double-header at Junction Oval: Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Thunder, then Melbourne Stars vs defending champions Hobart Hurricanes in the ground's first T20 under lights. Times in AEDT, IST, PKT, UK and ET.
When does WBBL|12 start? Thursday, October 29, 2026, with a double-header at Junction Oval, Melbourne.
What are the opening games? Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Thunder at 3:40 PM AEDT, then Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes at 7:10 PM AEDT.
What times are they in India and Pakistan? Game 1 starts at 10:10 AM IST (9:40 AM PKT). Game 2 starts at 1:40 PM IST (1:10 PM PKT).
Who are the defending champions? Hobart Hurricanes, who won their first WBBL title last December, beating Perth Scorchers by 8 wickets in the final.
Why is the night game special? It is the first T20 match under the new floodlights at Junction Oval, a new era for both Melbourne clubs.
The Story: A New Era in Melbourne
The Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) is Australia's women's franchise T20 competition, and it is one of the strongest women's leagues in the world. For readers new to cricket: in a T20 match, each team bats for up to 20 overs (an over is six legal deliveries), so a game lasts about three hours.
WBBL|12 has 43 matches over 38 days. The regular season runs until November 29, followed by three playoff games and the final on December 5.
The season starts in St Kilda for a reason. Junction Oval now has permanent floodlights, so the Stars and Renegades, who were previously limited mostly to daytime home games, can now host prime-time matches. The opening night game will be the first T20 under those lights.
Match 1: Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Thunder
3:40 PM AEDT | Junction Oval, Melbourne
Melbourne Renegades
The Renegades finished fifth in WBBL|11 with five wins and five losses, just missing the finals. New coach Gavan Twining takes over from Simon Helmot.
The big news is the return of West Indies captain Hayley Matthews, who missed last season after shoulder surgery. She is joined by overseas signings Deandra Dottin and Chloe Tryon, three of the most powerful hitters in the women's game.
Captain: Sophie Molineux
Squad: Sophie Molineux (c), Deandra Dottin, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Milly Illingworth, Sara Kennedy, Hayley Matthews, Olivia Porter, Sophie Reid, Chloe Tryon, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham, Courtney Webb, Annie Wikman
Sydney Thunder
The Thunder finished seventh in WBBL|11, with four wins from ten games. They were the form team of the T20 Spring Challenge earlier this month, going unbeaten through the group stage before losing their semi-final to the eventual champions, Sydney Sixers.
Australia star Phoebe Litchfield captains a side boosted by England's Heather Knight, back for a fifth season, England fast bowler Lauren Bell for the full season, and South African all-rounder Nadine de Klerk, who joins from Brisbane Heat.
Captain: Phoebe Litchfield
Squad: Phoebe Litchfield (c), Jemma Barsby, Sam Bates, Lauren Bell, Hannah Darlington, Nadine de Klerk, Lucy Finn, Hasrat Gill, Nicola Hancock, Laura Harris, Heather Knight, Anika Learoyd, Georgia Voll, Tahlia Wilson
Key Battle: Bell vs Matthews
Lauren Bell's swing with the new ball against Hayley Matthews' attacking strokeplay at the top of the order could set the tone for the whole game.
Match 2: Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes
7:10 PM AEDT | Junction Oval, Melbourne (under lights)
Melbourne Stars
The Stars have a new captain. Annabel Sutherland has handed the job to former Australia captain Meg Lanning, one of the greatest batters in women's cricket. They have an all-England overseas group: wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones, off-spinner Charlie Dean and all-rounder Dani Gibson.
Hobart Hurricanes
The champions won their first WBBL title last December, chasing down Perth Scorchers' 137 for 5 with 30 balls to spare at Bellerive Oval. Captain Elyse Villani retired from the WBBL after that final.
Their overseas group for WBBL|12 is Chinelle Henry (West Indies), Linsey Smith (England), who took 2 for 4 in last year's final, and Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu. England stars Nat Sciver-Brunt, who made 35 in last year's final, and Danni Wyatt-Hodge are unavailable.
Key Battle: Lanning vs Athapaththu
Two of the most experienced batters in the women's game will be at the top of the order for their teams, under lights in St Kilda.
Players to Watch
Hayley Matthews (Renegades): Back after missing last season, with 1,697 WBBL runs and 77 wickets.
Sophie Molineux (Renegades, c): The club's leading WBBL run-scorer (1,742) and second-highest wicket-taker (97).
Phoebe Litchfield (Thunder, c): The Thunder's top run-scorer last season, striking at over 150.
Heather Knight (Thunder): Former England captain, back for a fifth WBBL season.
Meg Lanning (Stars, c): The Stars' new captain and one of the greats of the women's game.
Chamari Athapaththu (Hurricanes): Sri Lanka's captain and one of the most dangerous openers in the world.
Opening Day Times
| Match | Fixture | AEDT (local) | UTC | IST | PKT | UK | ET |
| 1 | Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Thunder | 3:40 PM | 04:40 | 10:10 AM | 9:40 AM | 4:40 AM | 12:40 AM |
| 2 | Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes | 7:10 PM | 08:10 | 1:40 PM | 1:10 PM | 8:10 AM | 4:10 AM |
Both matches are on Thursday, October 29 in Australia, India, Pakistan, the UK and the US. AEDT is Australian Eastern Daylight Time (UTC+11). IST is India Standard Time (UTC+5:30). PKT is Pakistan Standard Time (UTC+5). UK times are GMT. ET is US Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4).
How to watch in Australia: all 43 matches stream on Kayo Sports and air on Foxtel, and 20 regular-season games plus every final are free on Channel Seven and 7plus.
What's Next After Opening Day
| Match | Date | Fixture | Venue | Local | IST |
| 4 | Sat, Oct 31 | Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Stars | Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide | 3:10 PM ACDT | 10:10 AM |
| 5 | Sat, Oct 31 | Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Renegades | WACA Ground, Perth | 4:10 PM AWST | 1:40 PM |
| 6 | Sun, Nov 1 | Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat | Drummoyne Oval, Sydney | 3:40 PM AEDT | 10:10 AM |
| 7 | Sun, Nov 1 | Sydney Sixers vs Hobart Hurricanes | Drummoyne Oval, Sydney | 7:10 PM AEDT | 1:40 PM |
Frequently Asked Questions
When does WBBL 2026 start?
- Thursday, October 29, 2026, with Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Thunder at Junction Oval.
What time is the first WBBL|12 match in India?
- 10:10 AM IST. The second match starts at 1:40 PM IST.
Who won WBBL|11?
- Hobart Hurricanes, who beat Perth Scorchers by 8 wickets in the final for their first title.
Who is the Melbourne Stars captain?
- Meg Lanning, who takes over from Annabel Sutherland.
When is the WBBL|12 final?
- Saturday, December 5, 2026.
Related Guides and Series Coverage
📋 WBBL 2026 Schedule: Full WBBL|12 Fixtures, Venues and Times