The new WBBL season opens with a heavyweight clash under the lights at Junction Oval. The Hobart Hurricanes arrive as defending champions after finishing top of the table last season and winning their first title. The Melbourne Stars, the only franchise yet to lift the trophy, welcome Meg Lanning back as captain. This guide covers the match details, form, squads, key players, betting angles, and a prediction.
Match Snapshot
The essentials for the opener:
- Fixture: Melbourne Stars Women vs Hobart Hurricanes Women, Match 2 of WBBL|12
- Date: Thursday, 29 October 2026
- Start time: 7:10 PM AEDT (1:40 PM IST), a night match
- Venue: Junction Oval, Melbourne
- Captain (Stars): Meg Lanning
The match follows the Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Thunder game in a double-header at the same ground. The tournament runs until the final on 5 December.
How the Two Sides Arrive
The Hurricanes ended the last season with seven wins and two defeats, the best record in the league, and beat the Perth Scorchers by eight wickets in the final. Lizelle Lee, named player of the final, will open the batting again.
A late blow came on Monday when Danni Wyatt-Hodge was ruled out of the tournament with a calf injury. The Hurricanes replaced her with Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu, who has played 69 WBBL matches for the Scorchers, Renegades, and Thunder and ranks sixth in the ICC women’s T20I batting rankings.
The Stars finished the previous campaign by ending a finals drought, and Lanning returned to the captaincy after Annabel Sutherland stepped down. The squad came together early, with Sutherland, Lanning, and Kim Garth retained as the first priority. Their pre-season was rougher. The Stars lost their opening two games in the T20 Spring Challenge, including a one-run defeat to the Renegades after chasing 181.
Recent Meetings
The last five meetings between the sides in WBBL and pre-season play are close to even:
In WBBL games, the Stars have won two of the last three, although the Hurricanes’ 78-run win in December 2025 was the heaviest result of the group.
Squads
The Hurricanes squad: Chamari Athapaththu (overseas), Nicola Carey, Heather Graham, Ella Hayward, Chinelle Henry (overseas), Ruth Johnston, Lizelle Lee, Kate Pelle, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Amy Smith, Lauren Smith, Linsey Smith (overseas), Molly Strano, Rachel Trenaman, and Callie Wilson.
The Stars squad: Meg Lanning (c), Sophie Day, Charlie Dean (overseas), Kim Garth, Dani Gibson (overseas), Maisy Gibson, Amy Jones (overseas), Carly Leeson, Rhys McKenna, Indigo Noble, Georgia Prestwidge, Zoe Samuel, Naomi Stalenberg, and Annabel Sutherland.
Playing XIs are confirmed at the toss, and international commitments can change availability.
Players Who Could Swing It
A few names will draw attention in the markets:
- Lizelle Lee (Hurricanes): She holds the WBBL record for the highest score, an unbeaten 150 off 75 balls in 2024.
- Chamari Athapaththu (Hurricanes): Her attacking style fits the top of the order, alongside Lee.
- Linsey Smith and Molly Strano (Hurricanes): The spin options can squeeze the middle overs.
- Meg Lanning (Stars): She scored 135 off 74 balls against the Sixers in last year’s WBBL and returns as captain.
- Amy Jones (Stars): The England wicketkeeper-batter adds quick scoring in the top four.
- Rhys McKenna and Naomi Stalenberg (Stars): McKenna made an important 50 last season, and Stalenberg brings 139 WBBL appearances and 1,623 runs.
- Charlie Dean and Sophie Day (Stars): The spin pair could shape the contest in the middle overs.
Conditions
No detailed pitch report exists for the opener. Pre-season scores have varied widely, from totals under 140 to the Stars’ 179 for 6 against the Renegades. Night games in Melbourne can bring cool air and some help for the bowlers early. Check the pitch report and the toss before placing a bet.
Betting Tips by Market
Markets worth a look, with the thinking behind each:
- Match winner: The Hurricanes have the form, the champion’s confidence, and two top-order power hitters. The Stars have home conditions and a captain who has dominated this competition. A close price is fair.
- Top Hurricanes batter: Lee and Athapaththu are the obvious names, and they open the innings, so they see the most balls.
- Top Stars batter: Lanning, Jones, and McKenna offer different prices, and Lanning’s recent scores support a shorter price.
- Powerplay runs: Two aggressive openers for the Hurricanes point to a strong start, while the Stars’ Spring Challenge scores show they can also score quickly.
- Top bowler: Spinners on both sides, such as Smith, Dean, and Day, can matter, with Garth and Prestwidge as the pace options for the Stars.
- Total sixes: A match with power hitters on both sides could see plenty, so compare the line with recent scoring.
Opening-night markets can be tricky because team news and conditions are still settling. No tip guarantees a result.
Reading the Match Odds
Decimal odds show the total return for each unit staked. Divide 1 by the price to get the implied probability, so a price of 1.80 suggests about 56 percent and a price of 2.10 suggests about 48 percent. These figures are examples, because live prices change with team news and the toss.
Two habits help. Estimate each team’s chance before checking the price. Then compare the two, and remember that bookmaker prices include a margin, so the implied chances add up to more than 100 percent.
Match Prediction
The Hurricanes hold a narrow edge. They are the champions, they have two top-class openers, and their bowling attack has a strong spin group. The Stars have the home advantage and a leader in Lanning who knows how to win, but their pre-season was uneven, and they face a side that beat them by 78 runs in the last meeting.
Three factors could decide it:
- The powerplay battle between Lee and Athapaththu and the Stars’ new-ball bowlers.
- How the Stars’ middle order, led by Jones and McKenna, handles the Hurricanes’ spinners.
- The toss and the conditions at Junction Oval after dark.
Expect a competitive game, with the Hurricanes slight favourites.
Conclusion
A new season, a defending champion, and a hungry rival make this a great way to start the WBBL. The Hurricanes want to prove last year was no fluke, and the Stars want to take a big step toward their first title. The evening will probably turn on a few overs in the middle, and a calm approach works best. Wait for the toss and the confirmed teams, compare the odds with your own view, and keep stakes modest.
Betbricks7 provides cricket previews and betting tips throughout the season. Visit betbricks7cricket.com to follow the rest of WBBL|12.
FAQs
When is the Stars vs Hurricanes WBBL match?
The match is on Thursday, 29 October 2026, at 7:10 PM AEDT. That is 1:40 PM IST at Junction Oval in Melbourne.
Who are the defending champions?
The Hobart Hurricanes won the last WBBL title, beating the Perth Scorchers by eight wickets in the final.
Who captains the Stars?
Meg Lanning leads the Stars after Annabel Sutherland stepped down from the captaincy.
Which Hurricanes player is out injured?
Danni Wyatt-Hodge is out with a calf injury. Chamari Athapaththu joined the squad as her replacement.