The WBBL will host stand-alone matches at the MCG and SCG for first time

After doubling the salary cap to lure the world’s best to join the all-conquering Australians, the WBBL is now taking its games to the biggest stadiums.

Matches will be played at the MCG and SCG for the first time as part of a ramped-up WBBL schedule set to seize on the popularity of Australia‘s World Cup winning team that has been playing before record crowds in England.

Reigning champs the Adelaide Strikers will also play a series of matches at the Adelaide Oval, with other games across the 59-match season to be played at the WACA, Blundstone Arena, Junction Oval as well as a Wednesday afternoon game at Ringwood in suburban Melbourne.

The WBBL didn’t follow the BBL’s lead and reduce the number of games, with the tournament to be played across 45 days from the opening game on October 19 at North Sydney Oval.

A Melbourne derby at the MCG on November 25 and a Sydney derby at the SCG on November 26 will round out the regular season, with the two iconic venues hosting stand-alone regular season matches for the first time.

The Australians have been playing in front of monster crowds in England, with more than 21,000 turning up to Lord’s last weekend for the final T20 clash won by the home team.

We're bringing our Aussie superstars to your backyard, Melbourne.https://t.co/vLGCinE3D5

— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) July 12, 2023

Venues in India were also packed for the inaugural women’s Indian Premier League tournament, which featured most of Australia’s stars and a slew of the best international players who could turn out in the WBBL via the inaugural player draft.

The WBBL salary cap has been doubled for the upcoming season, with top players set to earn in excess of $130,000, and league boss Alistair Dobson said this year’s tournament would be the “biggest 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 famous for WBBL matches,” he said.

“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.

“Players will be paid more than ever in WBBL|09, with the salary cap per team doubling and the top players set to earn up to $133,000.

“It’s no coincidence the WBBL is the fourth most-watched sports league and most-watched women’s league in the country.”

Among other highlights of the schedule, the Hobart Hurricanes host the Perth Scorchers under lights in Launceston in the first Friday night clash of the tournament, and the Scorchers will play all five home games at the WACA.