WBBL finals race: The run home for each club

The race for finals spots in Weber WBBL|10 looks set to go down to the wire, with four teams locked on six points as the tournament enters the second half of the regular season.

With 23 matches completed, the Sydney Thunder have put a marker out as the team to beat, sitting on top of the table with eight points.

At the other end of the table, two-time reigning champions Adelaide Strikers have just one win from six matches.

The top four advance to the finals in WBBL|10, with the top-ranked team at the end of the 56-game regular season directly progressing to, and hosting, the final on December 1.

The teams finishing third and fourth will meet in The Knockout on Wednesday, November 27, with the winner to then play the second-ranked team in The Challenger on Friday, November 29, for a spot in the final.

With 17 matches remaining, here is how the eight teams are placed.

1st: Sydney Thunder (8 points)

Played 6 | Won 4 | Lost 2 | NR 0 | NRR 0.248

The run home

Nov 15 v Scorchers (MCG)

 

Nov 17 v Sixers (Drummoyne Oval)

 

Nov 20 v Stars (Drummoyne Oval)

 

Nov 23 v Renegades (CitiPower Centre)

While the Thunder are still placed at the top after their 74-run loss to the Scorchers, their net run rate has taken a hit. They are set to lose in-form England star Heather Knight, but have a replacement at the ready in Georgia Adams. 

2nd: Perth Scorchers (8 points)

Played 6 | Won 4 | Lost 2 | NR 0 | NRR 0.205

The run home

Nov 15 v Thunder (MCG)

 

Nov 19 v Strikers (Karen Rolton Oval)

 

Nov 21 v Sixers (Ninja Stadium)

 

Nov 23 v Hurricanes (WACA Ground)

By defeating the Thunder by 74 runs, the Scorchers have not only won their first game away from home this season, but also repaired their net run rate to a great extent. However, they are set to lose Amy Jones to England's tour of South Africa this week. 

3rd: Melbourne Renegades (8 points)

Played 7 | Won 4 | Lost 3 | NR 0 | NRR 0.171

The run home

Nov 15 v Stars (MCG)

 

Nov 21 v Hurricanes (Ninja Stadium)

 

Nov 23 v Thunder (CitiPower Centre)

The Renegades strung together their two most comprehensive display of the season by beating the Stars in the first of two Melbourne derbies and then reigning champions the Strikers, handing them momentum going into their final three matches. 

4th: Hobart Hurricanes (6 points)

Played 6 | Won 3 | Lost 3 | NR 0 | NRR 0.432

The run home

Nov 13 v Strikers (Ninja Stadium)

 

Nov 16 v Strikers (Adelaide Oval)

 

Nov 21 v Renegades (Ninja Stadium)

 

Nov 23 v Scorchers (WACA Ground)

Lizelle Lee's heroics at the SCG have kept the Hurricanes in touch with the block of teams locked on six points, while also handing her club a handy net run rate boost. Next up are back-to-back matches against a Strikers side desperate to keep their season alive. Danni Wyatt-Hodge will only play one more game before she joins England's tour of South Africa, and will then be replaced by Kiwi Suzie Bates.

5th: Brisbane Heat (6 points)

Played 6 | Won 3 | Lost 3 | NR 0 | NRR -0.001

The run home

Nov 14 v Sixers (North Sydney Oval)

 

Nov 17 v Stars (Drummoyne Oval)

 

Nov 22 v Stars (Allan Border Field)

 

Nov 24 v Sixers (Allan Border Field)

The Heat snapped their losing streak with a narrow win at the Gabba, and have four games remaining this season – although they only play two more teams, with double ups against the Sixers and Stars.   

6th: Sydney Sixers (6 points)

Played 6 | Won 3 | Lost 3 | NR 0 | NRR -0.389

The run home

Nov 14 v Heat (North Sydney Oval)

 

Nov 17 v Thunder (Drummoyne Oval)

 

Nov 21 v Scorchers (Ninja Stadium)

 

Nov 24 v Heat (Allan Border Field)

The Sixers are right in the mix as one of five teams locked on six points, but so far have been quite reliant on Ellyse Perry's contributions with the bat. Their net run rate could become a concern in a tight finals race. Sophie Ecclestone only has one more game left with the club before she departs for England's tour of South Africa.

7th: Melbourne Stars (4 points)

Played 5 | Won 2 | Lost 3 | NR 0 | NRR 0.191

The run home

Nov 15 v Renegades (MCG)

 

Nov 17 v Heat (Drummoyne Oval)

 

Nov 20 v Thunder (Drummoyne Oval)

 

Nov 22 v Heat (Allan Border Field)

 

Nov 24 v Strikers (CitiPower Centre)

A six-day break between two Melbourne derbies will give the Stars a chance to reset ahead of a busy end to the regular season. With a game in hand on most of their rivals, they can still finish strong and snap their finals drought. In good news for the club, Marizanne Kapp will miss South Africa's T20I series against England and remain with the Stars until the end of their season.   

8th: Adelaide Strikers (2 points)

Played 6 | Won 1 | Lost 5 | NR 0 | NRR -0.892

The run home

Nov 13 v Hurricanes (Ninja Stadium)

 

Nov 16 v Hurricanes (Adelaide Oval)

 

Nov 19 v Scorchers (Karen Rolton Oval)

 

Nov 24 v Stars (CitiPower Centre)

The Strikers came into the season as favourites to claim a third consecutive title after a successful off-season that saw them sign India superstar Smriti Mandhana. But so far Adelaide's star-studded line-up has been well off the pace, and they will likely need to win at least four, if not all five, of their remaining games to sneak into finals. They are also set to lose Laura Wolvaardt, who will return home to South Africa ahead of their T20I series against England.

Weber WBBL|10 standings

Team	Matches played M	Wins W	Losses L	Ties T	No results N/R	Net Run Rate NRR	Deductions Ded.	Total points PTS
1 Sydney Thunder Women THU	6	4	2	0	0	0.248	0	8
2 Perth Scorchers Women SCO	6	4	2	0	0	0.205	0	8
3 Melbourne Renegades Women REN	7	4	3	0	0	0.171	0	8
4 Hobart Hurricanes Women HUR	6	3	3	0	0	0.432	0	6
5 Brisbane Heat Women HEA	6	3	3	0	0	-0.001	0	6
6 Sydney Sixers Women SIX	6	3	3	0	0	-0.389	0	6
7 Melbourne Stars Women STA	5	2	3	0	0	0.191	0	4
8 Adelaide Strikers Women STR	6	1	5	0	0	-0.892	0	2

Legend

M: Matches played

W: Wins

L: Losses

T: Ties

N/R: No results

NRR: Net Run Rate

Ded.: Deductions

PTS: Total points