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Big Bash Women: Thunder to test out Hurricanes rebuild

Hobart Hurricanes are still on the hunt for a first Women's Big Bash title as they prepare to begin their new season with a visit from two-time champions Sydney Thunder.

Thunder took the honours in the inaugural tournament in 2015/16 and repeated their success in 2020, but since then they have struggled to make a major impact in the competition, although they did reach the Eliminator game last season.

The Hurricanes have fared even worse, having not finished any higher than sixth in the standings in any of the last seven seasons, so they will view this as an opportunity to improve their fortunes.

. What: Hobart Hurricanes v Sydney Thunder
. Where: Ninja Stadium, Bellerive
. When: 18:10 (AEST) Monday 28th October
. How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel
. Odds: Hobart Hurricanes 2.00, Sydney Thunder 1.80

Hurricanes make big changes

Skippered by the vastly experienced Elyse Villani, the Hurricanes welcome a number of new faces to their roster, with Scotland all-rounder Kathryn Bryce and former Melbourne Renegades and Brisbane Heat seamer Zoe Cooke among them.

England ace Danni Wyatt-Hodge also boosts the Hobart franchise, who have a significant South African presence, with Lizelle Lee, Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk among their number.

Lauren Smith and Callie Wilson have also been recruited, but Rachel Trenaman, Amy Smith and Hayley Silver-Holmes are all currently sidelined by injury.

Later on in the season, with Wyatt-Hodge taking up international duties, the Hurricanes have snapped up a top-quality replacement, with New Zealand international Suzie Bates having recently helped her country to T20 World Cup glory.

Last term the Hurricanes played four matches in Hobart, winning two and losing two, and they are 2.00 to get off to a winning start this season, with Wyatt-Hodge 1.72 to score 20+ runs against the Thunder.

The Englishwoman is 9.00 to be named as Player of the Match, with team-mate Lee also priced at 9.00.

Thunder have firepower under Litchfield

The Sydney franchise have taken a bold leap into the future by appointing 21-year-old Phoebe Litchfield as their captain, with the Australia left-hander having already racked up 67 BBL appearances.

She has a highly talented squad at her disposal, with the batting led by the dynamic Sri Lanka left-hander Chamari Athapaththu, who was the second highest runscorer in the BBL last season.

The 34-year-old racked up 552 runs at an average of 42.46 and a highly impressive strike-rate of 127.18, passing 50 on five occasions.

All-rounder Sammy-Jo Johnson is one to watch, while England veteran Heather Knight is also on the Thunder roster, but will not feature in Tasmania due to a back problem, with Taneale Peschel also ruled out and having been replaced by Paris Bowdler.

With the ball former South Africa fast bowler Shabnim Ismail will be eager to impress, having taken 13 wickets for the Hurricanes in last season’s Big Bash.

The 36-year-old had previously played for the Thunder for two seasons, taking 24 wickets, while she has also spent two years with Melbourne Renegades.

Ismail is 15.00 to be named as Player of the Match, while skipper Litchfield is available at 8.00 in the same market.

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