World Cup stars set to light up third WBBL season

Captain: Ellyse Perry

International players: Ellyse Perry (Australia), Alyssa Healy (Australia), Sarah Aley (Australia), Lauren Cheatle (Australia), Ashleigh Gardner (Australia), Marizanne Kapp (South Africa), Dane van Niekerk (South Africa), Sara McGlashan (New Zealand)

In: Lauren Cheatle (Sydney Thunder), Erin Burns (Hobart Hurricanes), Clara Iemma

Out: Lisa Sthalekar, Rhiannon Dick (Adelaide Strikers), Haylee Hoffmeister

Tons of runs: that's how the Sixers get it done. And that is why they are the defending champions, after beating the Perth Scorchers in a tight final last season. They did that without Ellyse Perry, who was injured at the time, with Alyssa Healy stepping into the breach.

Much like their crosstown rivals, the Sixers boast an imposing team sheet filled with international mainstays. Healy finished third in the run charts last year, while Sarah Aley's stack of 28 wickets was by far the biggest in the tournament, winning her an international debut in both white-ball formats at the age of 33.

Lauren Cheatle is a fantastic acquisition from the Sydney Thunder, the teenage left-arm seamer being one of the most exciting talents from the local system. The same could be said for Ashleigh Gardner, who this year catapulted onto the international stage due to 414 runs in the 2016-17 edition.

South African duo Marizanne Kapp and Dane van Niekerk give Perry a world-class seamer and wristspinner, but both will miss the final for the second year running, given commitments to play for their country in late January. The Sixers should dominate more often than not.

Captain: Elyse Villani

International players: Elyse Villani (Australia), Nicole Bolton (Australia), Katherine Brunt (England), Nat Sciver (England)

In: Meg Lanning (Melbourne Stars), Natalie Sciver (Melbourne Stars), Mikayla Hinkley (Sydney Thunder)

Out: Suzie Bates (Adelaide Strikers), Anya Shrubsole, Emma Biss

Nothing hurts like losing a home grand final. That was the Scorchers' fate in January, in the season-decider at the WACA in the searing heat. On paper, there's nothing stopping them going one better this time around.

Between times, they pulled off the coup of the off-season, securing the services of Australia captain Meg Lanning for three years. Lanning has led the WBBL for runs in both seasons, but the first of her Perth years will be spent on the sidelines, with fans having to wait to see the superstar as she recovers from shoulder surgery.

The Perth club also lifted explosive England all-rounder Natalie Sciver from the Stars, but in the trading lost their own captain from season two, the New Zealand captain Suzie Bates, who moved east to lead Adelaide. England's World Cup star Anya Shrubsole is taking a break from the competition this year, which has depleted Perth's seam stocks.

Opener Elyse Villani inherited the leadership, supported by Australia team-mate Nicole Bolton at the top of the list, while England veteran Katherine Brunt will return to The Furnace for new-ball duties and some middle-order smashing.

Captain: Kirby Short

International players: Beth Mooney (Australia), Jess Jonassen (Australia), Grace Harris (Australia), Deandra Dottin (West Indies), Holly Ferling (Australia), Delissa Kimmince (Australia).

In: Grace Harris (Melbourne Renegades), Laura Woolvardt (South Africa)

Out: Smriti Mandhana

The Heat had a quiet off-season, satisfied after making their first final leg of the series last summer, though they fell to the Scorchers at the semi-final stage. They did get Grace Harris back to the club, though, after a year at the Renegades. As the first player to score a century in the WBBL, her power and talent cannot be questioned.

Her fitness can, though. In a huge blow, the right-hander will be kept out due to injury until deep into the tournament. But crisis creates opportunity, and the Heat have made a savvy signing in her place: 18-year-old South African opener Laura Wolvaardt who batted impressively enough during the World Cup to earn a contract.

But for the Heat's success, all roads lead to Beth Mooney. In both seasons she has led the Heat for runs, and is coming off an Ashes-sealing 86 followed by a T20 ton for Australia, immediately going down as two of the best knocks in the format. She will receive all-round support from Australia team-mate Jess Jonassen and West Indian power-hitter Deandra Dottin.

Captain: Corinne Hall

International players: Veda Krishnamurthy (India), Lauren Winfield (England), Hayley Matthews (West Indies)

In: Veda Krishnamurthy, Lauren Winfield, Nicola Hancock, Stefanie Daffara (Sydney Thunder)

Out: Heather Knight (injured), Amy Satterthwaite (Melbourne Renegades), Erin Burns (Sydney Sixers), Julie Hunter (retired)

A lack of high-profile internationals hasn't been a handbrake on the Hurricanes making it to the semi-finals in both seasons, but may have contributed to them not going further.

It is a familiar theme for season three, not helped by the absence of World Cup-winning captain Heather Knight, who will miss the tournament with a foot injury. She will remain around the squad in a coaching capacity, replaced on the field by her England team-mate Lauren Winfield.

Strokemaker Veda Krishnamurthy, a senior member of the India side that beat Australia in the Women's World Cup semi-final, had showed her class on a huge stage in that tournament. She will be the third India player to feature in the competition overall.

Bajan teen sensation Hayley Matthews is back in purple for a third season. While she has been more effective in the WBBL with the ball, she showed in the 2016 World T20 that she can dominate attacks with the best of them. For the Cane Train to again feature in the knockouts, she might have to.

Corinne Hall has taken over as Knight's logical successor after New Zealand all-rounder Amy Satterthwaite moved to the Renegades.

Captain: Kristen Beams

International players: Kristen Beams (Australia), Mignon du Preez (South Africa), Georgia Elwiss (England), Lizelle Lee (South Africa), Erin Osborne (Australia)

In: Georgia Elwiss, Lizelle Lee, Mignon du Preez, Erin Osborne (Thunder), Nicole Faltum, Chloe Rafferty, Annabel Sutherland (Renegades)

Out: Meg Lanning (Scorchers), Jess Duffin (Renegades), Hayley Jensen (Renegades), Emma Inglis (Renegades), Morna Neilsen, Natalie Sciver (Scorchers), Lily Bardsley

No side frustrates quite like the Stars. It was unbelievable that they narrowly missed finals in the last two seasons given how Lanning had been plundering runs.

And no side has been whacked around quite like the Melbourne team in the off-season. They not only lost Lanning, their captain and match-winner, but also Nat Sciver, who went to the Scorchers. On her day, no one in women's cricket can take the game away faster than Sciver.

The experienced South African pair of Lizelle Lee and Mignon du Preez will fill some gaps, while England's Georgia Elwiss can be expected to contribute solidly if her form at home is an indicator, but there is no sugar-coating the fact that they now sport one of the weaker lists in the WBBL.

At least the primary issue with the team - relying too heavily on Lanning - won't be the case anymore. Whether that helps or hampers in the longer term will be the question.

Captain: Alex Blackwell

International players: Alex Blackwell (Australia), Rachael Haynes (Australia), Stafanie Taylor (West Indies), Rachel Priest (New Zealand), Harmanpreet Kaur (India), Naomi Stalenberg (Australia), Belinda Vakarewa (Australia), Rene Farrell (Australia).

In: Rachel Priest (Renegades), Rachel Trenaman, Hannah Trethewy, Hannah Darlington, Lisa Griffith.

Out: Lauren Cheatle (Sixers), Claire Koski (Renegades), Erin Osborne (Stars), Mikayla Hinkley (Scorchers), Stef Daffara.

The Harlem Globetrotters of the WBBL, the vast majority of the Thunder side regularly turn out for their respective countries on the international circuit. That base has only got stronger with New Zealand's Rachel Priest picked up from the Renegades to keep wicket and hit hard during the Powerplay.

But all that talent didn't protect them from a premiership hangover in season two. Instead of defending their title, they came third last in a dramatic and unexpected fall from grace.

The pressure shifts onto Australian leadership duo Alex Blackwell and Rachael Haynes to get the side back on track. It doesn't hurt that they have West Indian punisher Stafanie Taylor still on staff, along with India batsman Harmanpreet Kaur, who single-handedly booted Australia out of the World Cup semi-finals with an extraordinary unbeaten 171. Surely, they are expected to bounce back.

Captain: Amy Satterthwaite

International players: Amy Satterthwaite (New Zealand), Molly Strano (Australia), Lea Tahuhu (New Zealand), Chamari Atapattu (Sri Lanka)

In: Jess Duffin (Stars), Hayley Jensen (Stars), Amy Satterthwaite (Hurricanes), Emma Inglis (Stars), Claire Koski (Thunder), Chamari Atapattu, Rhiann O'Donnell, Jennifer Taffs

Out: Grace Harris (Heat), Rachel Priest (Thunder), Nicole Goodwin, Kirsty Lamb, Natalie Plane, Annabel Sutherland (Stars), Danielle Wyatt, Amy Yates

Neither Melbourne side has featured in the semi-finals after two attempts, but the Renegades have set about fixing that with a recruiting spree. Amy Satterthwaite's experience and all-round match-winning skill makes her a fantastic get from Hobart, and she will also lead the side.

Also a boost is the addition of Chamari Atapattu, the first Sri Lanka player to feature in the tournament. Her unbeaten 178 against Australia in the ODI World Cup in June reinforced that she is world-class and can take down an attack hard.

With the ball, offspinner Molly Strano has been a consistent performer over both seasons, while New Zealand fast bowler Lea Tahuhu is a very good signature for the club to have won.

The price they paid was losing Priest to the Thunder, and it can't help that Grace Harris has gone home to Queensland after one season. Operating with fewer weapons than the Sydney clubs, it might take something special for the Renegades to progress.

Captain: Suzie Bates

International players: Suzie Bates (New Zealand), Tammy Beaumont (England), Sophie Devine (New Zealand), Megan Schutt (Australia), Amanda-Jade Wellington (Australia), Tahlia McGrath (Australia)

In: Suzie Bates (Scorchers), Rhiannon Dick (Sixers), Ellie Falconer, Annie O'Neill

Out: Charlotte Edwards, Sarah Coyte, Sarah Elliot, Shelley Nitschke

Twelve months ago, the smart money was on Adelaide for a run up the ladder. Their first season fell away badly - they finished seventh - but the squad looked way too good for that to happen again. Wrong: the Strikers claimed two wooden spoons from two attempts.

Four retirements, including that of England champion Charlotte Edwards, have given the side a chance to renew this time around. They are doing so under one of the best leaders in world cricket, New Zealand's Suzie Bates, who has moved from the Scorchers to take over as captain.

When Tammy Beaumont came to the club last year she was the in-form 50-over opener in the world, but barely fired a shot. It is much the same this year, too, with the England star, who was Player of the Tournament in the World Cup in July after topping the run charts. Whether or not she can translate that to T20 will shape the season ahead.

Sophie Devine, one of the biggest hitters in women's cricket and the only century-maker last season, is also back, while the green-and-gold trio of Megan Schutt, Amanda-Jade Wellington and Tahlia McGrath all excelled during the Women's Ashes. Surely this is the year they get it right.