Big Bash back at Eastern Oval

A FESTIVAL of Weber Women’s Big Bash League cricket will be held in Ballarat this weekend.

Over four matches between Saturday, 29 and Monday 31 October, five teams will play at the Eastern Oval, including the Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars on the afternoon of the first day of action.

Melbourne Renegades general manager James Rosengarten said the club is ready to celebrate their homecoming, as they haven’t played a WBBL match in Victoria for more than 1000 days.

“Ballarat is part of our Renegades heartland and we’re thrilled to be back hosting matches here this season,” he said.

“The Ballarat Festival of Cricket is going to be a great event, showcasing some of Australia and the world’s best cricketers… across an action-packed weekend.”

Melbourne Stars head coach Jonathan Batty said the team is keen to be back in the state, having started their season on the road.

“Despite not having a win yet, we’ve shown our ability in patches, now it’s about putting it all together,” he said.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can produce against the Renegades on Saturday. It’s no secret that we love playing against them.

“There’s so much talent on the pitch from our internationals Jemi Rodrigues, Alice Capsey and Lauren Winfield-Hill who have all represented their country, along with Annabel Sutherland, through to the likes of Kim Garth and Tess Flintoff who are rising through the ranks of Australian cricket.”

The WBBL event will also include music, food vendors, and entertainment, but City of Ballarat mayor Cr Daniel Moloney said it’s about celebrating women in sport, most of all.

“Promoting women’s sport is a priority for the City of Ballarat as part of our focus on implementation of the Active Women and Girls Strategy,” he said.

“It is events like this that will see women’s sport continue to grow in Ballarat.”

The festival fixture on Saturday sees Hobart Hurricanes play Sydney Sixers at 10.15am, before Melbourne Renegades go up against the Melbourne Stars at 2pm.

On Sunday, Melbourne Renegades will play Sydney Sixers at 3pm, and Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder will clash on Monday at 3pm.

Today, Friday, 28 October, the Melbourne Renegades are hosting a school clinic at the Eastern Oval from 1pm to 2pm.

Those interested in watching a training session can head down between 2.30pm and 4.30pm to see the players prepare. Visit bit.ly/3DvheiY for match tickets.