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
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 are sitting comfortably in the upper half of the table and looking to consolidate their finals credentials. In contrast, the Stars have had a mixed start and will be desperate for points to stay in touch with the top four.
Main Factors
- The North Sydney Oval Factor: This venue is a batter’s paradise with small boundaries and a lightning-fast outfield. Expect a high-scoring contest where no total is truly safe. The average first-innings score here has been rising, and scores of 180+ are often chasable.
- Amelia Kerr’s Absence: The Sixers have been dealt a blow with star all-rounder Amelia Kerr ruled out due to a quad injury.
- This places immense pressure on their domestic bowling stocks and requires Ashleigh Gardner to shoulder a heavier load with the ball.
- Stars’ Top Order Power: The contest will likely be decided by the Stars’ “Big Three” (Meg Lanning, Annabel Sutherland, Marizanne Kapp). If they can negotiate the early swing from the Sixers’ pacers, they have the firepower to exploit the small boundaries.
Weather Condition
The forecast for Sydney predicts cloudy conditions with a chance of light rain or showers (approx. 40-50% chance) in the afternoon.
- Impact: While a washout is unlikely, a shortened game is possible. Teams winning the toss will almost certainly bowl first to understand the DLS requirements, especially given the ground’s history of favoring chasing sides.
Positions
- WBBL|11 Current Position:
- Sydney Sixers Women: 3rd (2 Wins, 1 Loss)
- Melbourne Stars Women: 6th (1 Win, 1 Loss, 1 No Result)
- WBBL|10 Finish:
- Sydney Sixers Women: 6th
- Melbourne Stars Women: 8th (Last)
Recent Form (Last 5 Matches)
- Sydney Sixers Women:W L W L W
- Recent trend: Inconsistent but finding ways to win key moments.
- Melbourne Stars Women:L NR W L L
- Recent trend: Struggling for momentum; relying heavily on individual brilliance.
Head-to-Head Stats
The rivalry is dead even, making this a tantalizing contest.
- Total Matches Played: 21
- Sydney Sixers Won: 10
- Melbourne Stars Won: 10
- No Result: 1
Probable Playing XI
Sydney Sixers Women (SS-W)
- Squad News: Amelia Kerr is OUT (injured).[4] Alyssa Healy is available and expected to keep wickets. Elsa Hunter or Lauren Kua may slot into the middle order to fill the void.
- Predicted XI:
- Alyssa Healy (wk)
- Ellyse Perry
- Sophia Dunkley
- Ashleigh Gardner (c)
- Erin Burns
- Maitlan Brown
- Mathilda Carmichael / Elsa Hunter
- Mady Villiers
- Caoimhe Bray
- Courtney Sippel
- Lauren Cheatle
Melbourne Stars Women (MS-W)
- Squad News: No major new injury concerns; likely to back their core group despite the recent loss.
- Predicted XI:
- Meg Lanning
- Ines McKeon / Rhys McKenna
- Annabel Sutherland (c)
- Marizanne Kapp
- Amy Jones (wk)
- Kim Garth
- Sasha Moloney
- Sophie Day
- Tess Flintoff
- Maisy Gibson
- Rhys McKenna / Ila Naik
Players to Watch
1. Ashleigh Gardner (SS-W):
With Kerr out, the Sixers captain is the most critical player on the field.[1] Her off-spin will be vital in the middle overs to curb the Stars’ scoring rate, and her power hitting at No. 4 is tailor-made for North Sydney Oval.
2. Meg Lanning (MS-W):
The “Megastar” loves batting at this venue. She has started the season with intent and relies on timing rather than brute force, which works perfectly on this fast outfield. If she bats through the powerplay, the Stars could post a massive total.
3. Caoimhe Bray (SS-W):
The young fast bowler has been a revelation, taking wickets in the powerplay consistently.[1] Her raw pace and ability to swing the new ball make her the “X-Factor” against the Stars’ experienced top order.
