Match Preview: Sydney Sixers Women vs Melbourne Stars Women (WBBL|11 Match 17)

• Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025
• Time: 03:40 PM Local Time (Sydney) | 10:10 AM IST | 04:40 AM GMT
• Venue: North Sydney Oval, Sydney
• Live Telecast: 7Plus, Kayo Sports (Australia), Star Sports/JioCinema (India)

Two heavyweights of the competition lock horns in Match 17 of WBBL|11 as the Sydney Sixers Women (SS-W) host the Melbourne Stars Women (MS-W) at the iconic North Sydney Oval.

The Sixers, currently sitting comfortably in 3rd place with a 2-1 record, are looking to consolidate their spot in the top four. The Stars, struggling at 6th on the ladder with mixed results (1 Win, 1 Loss, 1 No Result), will be desperate for points to stay in touch with the pack.

Main Factors & Key Narratives

• The North Sydney Oval Factor: This venue is notoriously a batter’s paradise with small boundaries and a lightning-fast outfield. Expect a high-scoring contest. The average first-innings score here in 2025 has risen to around 151, and scores of 180+ are often chasable.
• Sixers’ Batting vs. Stars’ Bowling: The Sixers boast arguably the deepest batting lineup in the league (Healy, Perry, Dunkley, Gardner). The Stars’ bowling unit, led by Marizanne Kapp and Kim Garth, will need to be disciplined early to prevent a runaway total.
• Amelia Kerr’s Absence: The Sixers will be without star all-rounder Amelia Kerr due to a quad injury. This puts extra pressure on their domestic bowlers and deepens the responsibility on Ash Gardner to deliver 4 solid overs.

Weather Condition

• Forecast: Cloud cover with a chance of light rain/showers (approx. 40-50% chance).
• Impact: A shortened game is possible. Teams winning the toss will likely bowl first to understand the DLS requirements, especially given the ground’s history of favoring chasing sides.
• Temperature: Around 21°C (69°F).

Recent Form (Last 5 Matches)

• Sydney Sixers Women:W L W L W (Most recent first)
  • Coming off a strong win where their bowling unit defended a total comfortably.
• Melbourne Stars Women:L NR W L L
  • Coming off a loss to the Renegades and a wash-out against the Strikers.

Head-to-Head Stats

The rivalry is dead even, making this a tantalizing contest.

• Total Matches Played: 20
• Sydney Sixers Won: 10
• Melbourne Stars Women Won: 10
• Last Meeting: SS-W won comfortably (Late 2024).

Probable Playing XI

Sydney Sixers Women (SS-W)

• Squad News: Amelia Kerr is OUT (injured). Alyssa Healy is named in the squad and expected to play despite missing the Perth trip earlier in the season. Elsa Hunter or Lauren Kua may slot into the middle order.
• Predicted XI:
  1. Alyssa Healy (wk)
  2. Ellyse Perry
  3. Sophia Dunkley
  4. Ashleigh Gardner (c)
  5. Erin Burns
  6. Maitlan Brown
  7. Mathilda Carmichael / Elsa Hunter
  8. Mady Villiers
  9. Caoimhe Bray
  10. Courtney Sippel
  11. Lauren Cheatle

Melbourne Stars Women (MS-W)

• Squad News: No major new injury concerns reported; they will rely heavily on their “Big Four” (Lanning, Sutherland, Kapp, Jones).
• Predicted XI:
  1. Meg Lanning
  2. Ines McKeon / Rhys McKenna
  3. Annabel Sutherland (c)
  4. Marizanne Kapp
  5. Amy Jones (wk)
  6. Kim Garth
  7. Sasha Moloney
  8. Sophie Day
  9. Tess Flintoff
  10. Maisy Gibson
  11. Rhys McKenna / Ila Naik

Players to Watch

1. Ashleigh Gardner (SS-W):
The Sixers captain is a threat in both departments. At North Sydney Oval, her power hitting can be devastating. With Kerr out, her off-spin becomes the team’s primary weapon in the middle overs.

2. Meg Lanning (MS-W):
The “Megastar” has started the season with intent (153 runs in 3 innings). She loves the ball coming onto the bat, which makes North Sydney Oval her ideal playground. If she bats through the powerplay, the Stars will post a huge total.

3. Caoimhe Bray (SS-W):
The young sensation has been a revelation, taking 6 wickets at an average of just 5.33 this season. Her raw pace and ability to take wickets in the powerplay make her the “X-Factor” against the Stars’ top order.

4. Annabel Sutherland (MS-W):
The Stars skipper needs to fire. She is crucial for finishing the innings with the bat and bowling the tough death overs. Her battle against Ellyse Perry will be a highlight.

Match Prediction

While the Head-to-Head record is even, the Sydney Sixers Women hold the edge due to home advantage and superior batting depth suitable for the North Sydney pitch. However, if the Stars’ top order (Lanning/Sutherland) fires, they can easily upset the hosts.

• Prediction: Sydney Sixers Women to win.