Hobart Hurricanes Women have a 58% win probability, while Melbourne Stars Women have a 42% chance of victory.
Key reasons:
- Hobart have won three of their last four completed matches, while Melbourne have lost four consecutive matches.
- Lizelle Lee and Chamari Athapaththu give Hobart an aggressive opening partnership capable of putting pressure on the opposition during the powerplay.
- Hobart's balanced squad and status as defending champions make them a strong contender against a Melbourne side that has struggled for consistency.
MS-W vs HH-W Betting Tips
Hobart have won three of their last four completed matches, while Melbourne Stars Women enter WBBL 2026 after four consecutive defeats. Hobart's explosive opening pair and balanced bowling attack give them the advantage.
Lee's aggressive approach at the top of the order makes her a dangerous powerplay batter. If she settles early, she has the ability to score quickly and put Melbourne's bowlers under pressure.
Junction Oval has produced first-innings totals around 140–160 in recent women's T20 matches. With experienced batters such as Meg Lanning and Amy Jones for Melbourne, and Lee and Chamari Athapaththu for Hobart, a high-scoring contest is possible.
Match Details
- Match: Melbourne Stars Women vs Hobart Hurricanes Women, 2nd T20
- Tournament: Women's Big Bash League 2026
- Date: October 29, 2026
- Time: 1:40 PM local time
- Venue: Junction Oval, St Kilda, Melbourne, Australia
- Prediction: Hobart Hurricanes Women to win
- Melbourne Stars Women win probability: 42%
- Hobart Hurricanes Women win probability: 58%
- Hobart Hurricanes Women to win odds: 1.65
MS-W vs HH-W 2nd T20 Match Prediction
Melbourne Stars Women take on defending champions Hobart Hurricanes Women in the second match of the Women's Big Bash League 2026 at Junction Oval, Melbourne, on October 29. Hobart arrive with the stronger recent record, while Melbourne will look to use home conditions and the experience of Meg Lanning and Annabel Sutherland to begin their campaign positively.
The contrast in recent form is a key factor. Melbourne have lost four consecutive matches, raising questions about their consistency with both bat and ball. Hobart, by comparison, have won three of their last four completed matches and enter the new season with confidence.
Hobart's opening combination is particularly dangerous. Lizelle Lee and Chamari Athapaththu can score quickly during the powerplay, potentially forcing Melbourne's bowlers onto the defensive. Nicola Carey and Heather Graham add all-round depth, giving the Hurricanes options in both innings.
Melbourne still possess considerable quality. Lanning can anchor the batting, Sutherland offers all-round ability, and Amy Jones adds experience behind the stumps and in the middle order. However, the Stars will need more consistent contributions from their supporting batters to avoid becoming overly dependent on their leading players.
Our prediction favours Hobart Hurricanes Women. Their stronger recent form, aggressive opening pair and balanced squad give them a clear advantage, although Melbourne's experienced core could make the contest competitive.
Head-to-Head Record
The recent head-to-head record between Melbourne Stars Women and Hobart Hurricanes Women is closely balanced. Both teams have won two of their last five matches, while the remaining fixture ended without a result.
That record suggests there is little separating the sides in their recent encounters. Melbourne will take confidence from their previous wins, but Hobart's current form gives the defending champions reason to believe they can gain the upper hand.
The match could come down to which team handles the powerplay more effectively. Melbourne need to contain Lee and Athapaththu early, while Hobart must find ways to restrict Lanning and Sutherland if the Stars bat first.
Melbourne Stars Women Preview
Melbourne Stars Women have a strong batting core led by Meg Lanning, whose experience and composure make her central to their campaign. Lanning can anchor an innings, build partnerships and accelerate when the situation demands it.
Amy Jones adds experience and wicketkeeping ability, while Annabel Sutherland provides valuable all-round quality. Sutherland can contribute important runs in the middle order and strengthen the bowling attack, making her one of Melbourne's most versatile players.
Dani Gibson offers power hitting and another seam-bowling option. Rhys McKenna and the supporting batters will also need to contribute consistently, particularly if Melbourne lose an early wicket. The Stars cannot afford to rely exclusively on Lanning and Sutherland if they want to post competitive totals.
Their bowling attack has several promising options. Sophie Day has been an important wicket-taker, while experienced seamer Kim Garth can provide control and movement. Charlie Dean adds another spin option, and Maisy Gibson offers further bowling depth.
The main challenge will be containing Hobart's aggressive top order. Lee and Athapaththu can put pressure on the fielding side during the powerplay, making early wickets particularly important. Melbourne's bowlers will need to maintain disciplined lines and lengths rather than allow the Hurricanes to dictate the tempo.
The Stars' recent form is a concern, with four consecutive defeats preceding the tournament. Their home conditions and experienced players provide reasons for optimism, but a more collective batting performance will be essential if they are to overcome the defending champions.
Melbourne Stars Women's Predicted Playing XI
- Meg Lanning (c)
- Amy Jones (wk)
- Rhys McKenna
- Charlie Dean
- Annabel Sutherland
- Dani Gibson
- Zoe Samuel
- Indigo Noble
- Kim Garth
- Maisy Gibson
- Sophie Day
Hobart Hurricanes Women Preview
Defending champions Hobart Hurricanes Women have a dangerous batting lineup led by Lizelle Lee and Chamari Athapaththu. Both players can attack from the beginning, making them particularly effective during the powerplay.
Lee's aggressive approach gives Hobart the opportunity to establish early momentum. Her ability to find boundaries and score quickly makes her a key player to watch, especially against a Melbourne bowling attack looking to regain confidence.
Athapaththu provides another attacking option and can contribute useful overs with the ball. Together, the opening pair give Hobart a strong platform, but they must avoid losing wickets too early and exposing the middle order.
Nicola Carey provides experience and balance, while Heather Graham is a valuable all-rounder who can contribute with both bat and ball. Rachel Trenaman and Ruth Johnston offer further batting options, giving Hobart alternatives if the top order struggles.
The Hurricanes' bowling attack is also well equipped for different stages of the innings. Linsey Smith offers left-arm spin and control, while Graham can provide breakthroughs and bowl important overs at the death. Amy Smith and Molly Strano add further variety.
Hobart's recent form supports their position as favourites, although they must maintain consistency. If Lee and Athapaththu fall early, the middle order could come under pressure. Equally, an expensive powerplay with the ball could allow Melbourne's experienced batters to take control.
Overall, Hobart's combination of aggressive batting, all-round depth and recent results makes them a strong contender to begin their title defence with a victory.
Hobart Hurricanes Women's Predicted Playing XI
- Lizelle Lee (wk)
- Chamari Athapaththu
- Nicola Carey (c)
- Heather Graham
- Ruth Johnston
- Rachel Trenaman
- Kate Pelle
- Hayley Silver-Holmes
- Amy Smith
- Linsey Smith
- Molly Strano
Toss Prediction
We expect the captain winning the toss to bowl first, particularly with this being Junction Oval's first scheduled WBBL match under the new floodlights. Chasing would allow the team to assess the conditions and work towards a clear target, although the final decision may depend on the pitch and any dew.
Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
Junction Oval generally offers a balanced T20 surface. Recent first-innings scores have averaged around 148, suggesting that batters can score freely once they settle, although bowlers who maintain disciplined lengths can also be effective.
Seamers may find some assistance early, while spinners who vary their pace could be influential during the middle overs. A first-innings total of around 145–160 should be competitive, although conditions under the new floodlights introduce some uncertainty about how the surface will play.
The forecast indicates cool conditions around 17°C, with overcast skies and high humidity near 73%. Winds are expected to be very light. The heavier atmosphere may help bowlers early in the innings before conditions become more settled.
Both teams will need to adapt quickly. Melbourne's bowlers must avoid giving Hobart's aggressive openers easy scoring opportunities, while the Hurricanes will look to exploit any movement available with the new ball.
Key Players to Watch
Melbourne Stars Women: Meg Lanning
Lanning is the most important batter in Melbourne's lineup. Her experience allows her to manage the innings, build partnerships and accelerate when required. With the Stars looking to end a run of defeats, a substantial contribution from their captain could be vital.
Melbourne Stars Women: Annabel Sutherland
Sutherland's all-round ability gives Melbourne balance across both innings. She can contribute valuable runs in the middle order and provide useful overs, making her one of the players most capable of influencing the outcome.
Melbourne Stars Women: Kim Garth
Garth brings experience and control to the Stars' bowling attack. Her ability to maintain disciplined lines and lengths will be important against Hobart's aggressive opening pair. Early wickets could significantly improve Melbourne's chances.
Hobart Hurricanes Women: Lizelle Lee
Lee is a key player for Hobart because of her attacking approach at the top of the order. If she gets established during the powerplay, she can put Melbourne's bowlers under pressure and provide the foundation for a competitive total.
For the individual runs market, Lizelle Lee to score over 20.5 runs is our recommended selection.
Hobart Hurricanes Women: Chamari Athapaththu
Athapaththu provides power at the top of the order and additional bowling flexibility. Her ability to contribute in both departments makes her an important part of Hobart's plans, particularly if the match becomes a contest of all-round performances.
Hobart Hurricanes Women: Heather Graham
Graham's all-round skills provide Hobart with useful flexibility. She can contribute with the bat when the team needs acceleration and provide important overs with the ball, particularly during phases when wickets are required.
Why Hobart Hurricanes Women Are the Better Pick
Hobart have several advantages heading into their opening match against Melbourne Stars Women.
- Stronger recent form: Hobart have won three of their last four completed matches, while Melbourne have suffered four consecutive defeats.
- Aggressive opening pair: Lee and Athapaththu can put immediate pressure on the opposition and give Hobart a fast start.
- All-round depth: Nicola Carey and Heather Graham provide flexibility with both bat and ball.
- Multiple bowling options: Linsey Smith, Molly Strano and Graham give Hobart different options to manage the innings.
- Defending champions' confidence: Hobart enter the season with the experience of a title-winning squad and the confidence of stronger recent results.
Melbourne have experienced players in Lanning, Sutherland and Garth, and their home conditions could help them produce a better performance. However, their recent losing streak and potential dependence on a small number of leading players remain concerns.
Hobart's more consistent recent results and explosive batting lineup make them the stronger selection. Our prediction is Hobart Hurricanes Women to win at odds of 1.65.
Bet on MS-W vs HH-W Today
Melbourne Stars Women and Hobart Hurricanes Women meet at Junction Oval in the second match of WBBL 2026. Melbourne will hope their experienced core can reverse a disappointing run of results, but Hobart appear better placed to start the tournament with a victory.
Our preferred match-winner selection is Hobart Hurricanes Women at odds of 1.65. Lizelle Lee to score over 20.5 runs is another option, given her aggressive approach at the top of the order. Total match runs over 270.5 could also appeal if both teams make good use of the batting conditions.
Recommended picks:
- Hobart Hurricanes Women to win @ 1.65
- Lizelle Lee to score over 20.5 runs
- Total match runs over 270.5
These are predictions rather than guarantees. Cricket results are uncertain, so bet responsibly and only within your limits.
