Today at the WBBL: Halloween fixtures attempt to ignite competition

After a heavily-disrupted opening weekend, all eight sides will aim to kick-start their campaigns - but will the conditions thwart them again?

• WBBL 06: TV times, streaming and more

• WBBL 06: Squads

Who's playing?

Game One: Sydney Thunder v Adelaide Strikers

Game Two: Melbourne Renegades v Perth Scorchers

Game Three: Brisbane Heat v Hobart Hurricanes

Game Four: Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Stars

A return of three results from eight matches tells its own story. The opening weekend of the WBBL was a virtual wash-out thanks to the inclement Sydney weather. And even the matches that did reach a conclusion were somewhat disappointing. Seven, eight and nine-wicket wins doesn't suggest that pulsating thrillers filled the void.

There is plenty to be encouraged about as the competition tries to achieve lift-off again. The weather forecast, for one thing, is not nearly as disastrous as seven days ago. The ring rust has been shaken off. And after last weekend's false start, teams and players will be more eager than ever to kick-on.

The opening match is a repeat of arguably the most exciting clash of the 2019-20 edition when Strikers overcame Thunder via a super over. 

Both sides made 161 for 6 from their 20 overs, helped by Sarah Boyte bowling Nida Dar with just one needed from the final delivery for Thunder to prevail. Strikers made them pay, first by restricting Rachel Trenaman and Rachael Haynes to just six and then when Sophie Devine backed up her earlier 88 by completing the chase in three deliveries.

The re-run of some classic clashes from 12 months ago continues when Melbourne Renegades face Perth Scorchers. During last year's competition, rain (as it might do again) intervened and left the twice runners-up needing an unlikely 73 from seven overs. Successive wickets for Georgia Wareham left Scorchers requiring 27 from 10 deliveries. But in a remarkable spate of hitting, Meg Lanning struck three fours and six sixes - the second maximum from the final ball of the match - to secure the most unlikely of victories which confirmed a semi-final place.

Brisbane Heat survived one of their closer finishes from their victorious 2019-20 campaign, edging to a seven-run win over this weekend's opponents Hobart Hurricanes. Grace Harris' 43 helped them set 158 for victory but Hurricanes kept themselves in the contest until the final over when they required 17. Delissa Kimmince returned for her final over and just did enough to inspire a seven-run success.

The fourth and final match sees Sixers and Stars write their own pre-match script. If the weather holds this should be a good early test of each side's credentials. Lanning's Stars have looked impressive but are yet to complete a match while Sixers have Ellyse Perry fit again and got off the mark against Strikers. Don't be surprised if we're back in four weeks time for a re-run in the final.

^{Sophie Devine, then with Adelaide Strikers, secure the win over Sydney Thunder last term}

Who should I look out for?

Strikers are once again without Suzie Bates for the second weekend of the competition as the New Zealander continues to recover from a shoulder problem. She suffered the blow during the first one-day international against Australia at the start of October and appears set for an extended spell on the sidelines.

It meant that Luke Williams' side were without their two premier overseas players for the opening two matches. Kiwi reserve Katie Perkins came into the team against Sixers and could again be involved.

Stafanie Taylor emerged from quarantine on Monday and is now fully available for Strikers. She played just twice at the start of what was an injury-ravaged spell for the West Indian, but if she can rediscover her best then Thunder have a genuine threat in front of them.

Of the debutants we can expect this weekend, none come bigger than Nadine de Klerk who is itching to get going after quarantining. The South African is among eight of her countrywomen competing in the WBBL and had to go through a period of isolation before being passed eligible to feature.

The right-arm seamer left Australia trembling in the T20 World Cup semi-final seven months ago - her last competitive outings - with 3-19 which including getting rid of Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney and Haynes. Skipper Jess Jonassen, a member of the victorious Aussie side that day, is expecting big things.

"She just sort of seems like a big ball of fun," she said. "She’s really excited to get in amongst it. We had some centre wicket scenarios yesterday up in Brisbane and she performed really well and was a live-wire in the field. So she’ll be another good addition to have around and somebody with a lot of energy."

QUIZ! Women's Big Bash highest run-scorers

Predictions?

Thunder to overcome Strikers.

Renegades to be too strong for Scorchers.

Hurricanes to be left behind by Heat.

Stars to edge Sixers thriller

Where can I watch?

In Australia, Kayo Sports are showing all 59 matches through their streaming service. Remaining games are accessible either through Channel 7, Fox Cricket or cricket.com.au.

UK broadcasters BT Sport 2 are showing Sydney Thunder v Adelaide strikers from 1am, Brisbane Heat v Hobart Hurricanes from 4:30am and Sydney Sixers against Melbourne Stars from 8am. 

BBC Radio Five Live Sports Extra will have live coverage of Heat v Hurricanes.

What does the weather look like?

Sydney has endured a week of wet weather and storms and that is expected to slip into the weekend. Thunder and lighting is predicted across the day, which could threaten all four matches.