THE 10th edition of the Women’s Big Bash League kicks off this weekend, and ahead of the tournament Rookie Me Central will take a look at all the teams, and see what their chances at the tournament may be.

In part one of two, we will look at the first four teams alphabetically – Adelaide Strikers, Brisbane Heat, Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Renegades.

ADELAIDE STRIKERS

In a moment of history repeating itself, the Adelaide Strikers are again coming into this season as the defending champions after winning their second title in a row last season.

The Strikers have also kept most of their squad from last season, so will no doubt be a contender again this season.

Their new faces are either young or absolute world class talent, while most of the departures were not getting regular game time anyway.

The biggest new face in dark blue this tournament is Smriti Mandhana, with the Indian star batter one of the Strikers’ draftees in the Overseas Draft and will compliment returning star and fellow draftee Laura Wolvaardt. Their third draftee is Orla Prendergast, who is having a breakout period for the Irish national team and will be looking to bring some strong batting power to the Strikers’ line up.

These big name inclusions are complimented by some younger new faces in Eleanor Larosa and Maggie Clark

Adelaide Strikers WBBL10 Squad: Jemma Barsby, Darcie Brown, Maggie Clark, Ellie Johnston, Eleanor Larosa, Katie Mack, Smriti Mandhana (India), Anesu Mushangwe, Tahlia McGrath (c), Bridget Patterson, Maddie Penna, Orla Prendergast (Ireland), Megan Schutt, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)

BRISBANE HEAT

Last year’s runners ups will be looking to go one better this season under new coach Mark Sorrell, and have also brought in a combination of youth and international experience.

On the more youthful end of the scale, Queensland youngster Sianna Ginger is a rising force in Australian cricket and will be looking to bring her strong form with ball in hand to the Heat.

Then on the international side of the scale, the Heat have brought in some bowling power in Nadine de Klerk and Shikha Pandey, complimented by the big hitting prowess of Jemimah Rodrigues. However, Rodrigues will miss the first two matches of the tournament, so Lauren Winfield-Hill will take her place in the squad, completing a full circle moment for the Englishwoman.

However, they did lose Amelia Kerr to the Sixers, which will be a massive loss for them.

Brisbane Heat WBBL|10 Squad: Bonnie Berry, Nadine de Klerk (South Africa), Sianna Ginger, Lucy Hamilton, Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Jess Jonassen, Charli Knott, Shikha Pandey (India), Grace Parsons, Georgia Redmayne, Jemimah Rodrigues (India) Mikayla Wrigley, Lauren Windfield-Hill

HOBART HURRICANES

Despite Tasmania’s dominating form in recent years at WNCL level, the state’s WBBL side has not been able to replicate it, last season only finishing sixth.

However, the Hurricanes have brought in some big hitting power, which will be a big help

They brought in Chloe Tryon and Danni Wyatt-Hodge through the draft, who will compliment Lizelle Lee and take some pressure off Lee and the likes of Elyse Villani to make big scores all the time. When Wyatt-Hodge has to leave later in the tournament, the Hurricane’s big hitting power increases even further because Suzie Bates is Wyatt-Hodge’s replacement.

However their bowling stocks have taken a bit of a hit, with Naomi Stalenberg, Maisy Gibson and Shabnim Ismail all leaving for other WBBL sides, so some one else is going to have to step up in their place.

Hobart Hurricanes WBBL|10 Squad: Nicola Carey, Zoe Cooke, Heather Graham, Ruth Johnston, Lizelle Lee (South Africa), Hayley Silver-Holmes, Tabatha Saville, Amy Smith, Lauren Smith, Molly Strano, Rachel Trenaman, Chloe Tryon (South Africa), Elyse Villani, Callie Wilson, Danni Wyatt-Hodge (England)

Associate rookie: Kathryn Bryce (Scotland)

Replacement Player: Suzie Bates (New Zealand)

MELBOURNE RENEGADES

WBBL09 was not an easy tournament for the red side of Melbourne, with injuries to stars meaning the Renegades were only able to pick up two wins last season.

But, they have done some really good recruiting over the offseason so things should go a bit better this season.

After retaining Hayley Matthews in the draft, they were also able to pick up big hitting Englishwoman Alice Capsey and allround star Deandra Dottin.

Not only that, the Renegades were also able to coax over keeper Nicole Faltum and rising young quick Milly Illingworth from the Stars, who will also both be handy inclusions for the Renegades.

However, they did lose experienced star power in Harmanpreet Kaur and Tammy Beaumont, who will leave big holes to fill in the top of the order.

Melbourne Renegades WBBL|10 Squad: Alice Capsey (England), Sarah Coyte, Emma de Broughe, Josie Dooley, Deandra Dottin (West Indies), Nicole Faltum, Ella Hayward, Milly Illingworth, Hayley Matthews (West Indies), Sophie Molineux, Georgia Prestwidge, Naomi Stalenberg, Georgia Wareham, Courtney Webb