Photo Credit: Perth Scorchers
Perth Scorchers Members and fans are in for two massive festival weekends at home this October and more broadcast matches than ever before following the release of the 2021 Women’s Big Bash League fixtures today.Big Bash cricket returns to the iconic WACA Ground for a blockbuster weekend of fixtures on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 October.
The WACA Ground is set for a blistering weekend of action, as Scorchers take on a new-look Melbourne Renegades as well as defending champions the Sydney Thunder.
That same weekend the Ground will also host two eye-catching neutral matches, including some of the best cricketers in Australia in a Sydney derby.
Perth supporters will also be delighted to learn that the fan-favourite WBBL Festival Weekend will return to Lilac Hill on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 October.
The Lilac Hill Festival Weekend was the best in the competition in its last incarnation, receiving the highest fan experience score across the League and of course… setting a new record in the highest dog attendance at a match!
There’ll be plenty of entertainment in the middle at Lilac Hill too, when prized recruit Marizanne Kapp takes the field against her former club the Sixers, igniting a new chapter in the WBBL’s fiercest rivalry.
Away from home, the Scorchers start their campaign on Saturday 16 October against the Brisbane Heat at North Sydney Oval, the first of at least five broadcast matches featuring the Scorchers this season.
After the Lilac Hill weekend, the Scorches play six games on the road before finishing with broadcast double headers against the Melbourne Stars and Sydney Sixers on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 November at Adelaide’s Karen Rolton Oval.
In a major boost for the competition, 47 WBBL matches will be broadcast, up from 36 last season.
The Perth Scorchers will feature in five matches simulcast on Seven and Foxtel, including a late Saturday afternoon match against the Melbourne Renegades from the WACA Ground. Foxtel will exclusively broadcast another five Scorchers matches.
Supporters will be able to watch a livestream of the other four non-broadcast matches on the Cricket Australia Live App and via cricket.com.au as the team looks to secure a record sixth finals appearance.
The news follows a host of signings for the Club, with Sophie Devine, Alana King, Chloe Piparo, Mathilda Carmichael and Samantha Betts all putting pen to paper for the season ahead.
Perth Scorchers Head Coach Shelley Nitschke said;
“We can’t wait to begin another WBBL campaign, we certainly feel that we can be very competitive this season.
“Our incredible Members and fans didn’t get an opportunity to see the team play last season, we’re excited to play in front of them and can’t wait to feel that hometown support.
“We’re really pleased with how the team is shaping up, we’ve locked in our three internationals and will finalise the squad in the coming weeks.
Minister for Sport and Recreation the Hon Dr Tony Buti MLA said;
“I am very excited for the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League and seeing the Scorchers side in action again.
“The Scorchers had a fantastic season last year, finishing in fourth place and fans will be excited to support the team as they work their way to the top of the WBBL table.
“Games at the iconic WACA and Lilac Hill grounds will offer spectators a unique experience.
“I encourage all Western Australians to turn out and support our Scorchers team.”
City of Swan Mayor Kevin Bailey said;
The City of Swan welcomes back the return of elite cricket to Lilac Hill.
The Women’s Big Bash League is an iconic cricket competition and we’re excited to see this year’s new talent hit it for six on our home field.”
Perth Scorchers General Manager – Commercial, Marketing & Communication Shay Nasta said;
“To have the number of broadcast matches increase across the League is a reflection of the quality of the players the WBBL attracts and the interest the matches generate on a national scale.
“From a Scorchers perspective, we are delighted to have the majority of our matches on TV and are grateful for the support from our broadcast partners in continuing to grow the tournament’s profile and its ability to inspire women and girls to play cricket.
“Our WBBL match days are some of the best in the country and we are looking forward to seeing our team back in WA playing in front of the club’s passionate fanbase.”
