Fox Cricket expert MEL JONES casts her eye over the WBBL and who are the leading players to watch this season

ADELAIDE STRIKERS 2020 result: Sixth Emerging talent: Maddie Penna

Showed signs last year that she is one of those all-round talents. Has the ability to be a power hitter in the middle order and is more than handy with her leg spin as well, offering that all-round capability.

Star power: Suzie Bates

Suzie lasted less than a match for the Strikers last season before reinjuring her shoulder and having to return to New Zealand for surgery. If Adelaide is going to have a chance of getting through, Bates could be the pivotal player.

BRISBANE HEAT 2020 result: Semi-finals

Emerging talent:

Georgia Voll

Queensland seem to keep producing clean-hitting power batters and it’s just awesome to watch. Watching Voll in the middle is like seeing a mix between Grace Harris and Laura Kimmince.

Star power: Jess Jonassen

With a year under her belt as captain — a big step up for her after the loss of Beth Mooney — Jonassen’s ability to feel more comfortable in the role will allow her to play her natural game and be more confident in making decisions about putting herself on to bowl.

HOBART HURRICANES 2020 result: Eighth

Emerging talent:

Amy Smith

Smith had players bamboozled last year with her leg spin. The big challenge is to step up in her second year when she will be scrutinised a lot more by opposition line-ups. Star power: Mignon du Preez and Molly Strano

The Hurricanes have missed having a senior player who knows how to get teams over the line and win games. In du Preez and Strano, they have it with bat and ball now and have filled a massive gap with two world-class players.

MELBOURNE RENEGADES 2020 result: Seventh Emerging talent:

Ella Hayward

A great off-spinner, Hayward is unafraid to give the ball a good rev and have shape in the air rather than continually dart the ball into the batters. Bagged some big wickets last year and should be an asset for the Renegades.

Star power: Georgia Wareham

The leggie can cause plenty of worries for opposing batters but Wareham wears the tag of allrounder, so expect her to play some nice cameos in the middle order.

MELBOURNE STARS

2020 result: Runners-up Emerging talent: Sophie Day

Day is a smart player and her leftarm orthodox spin is a great option for the Stars, whether she’s employed to contain the opposition or toss the ball up to go for wickets. Star power: Meg Lanning

She did everything right last season bar actually winning the WBBL title. A challenge ahead this season with no Katherine Brunt or Nat Sciver in the side but it’s almost regardless of the team she’s playing in, she’ll open the batting, set the tone and score a truckload of runs.

PERTH SCORCHERS 2020 result: Semi-finals

Emerging talent:

Taneale Peschel

Brilliant last year with her seam bowling, the challenge for Peschel is to back that up again. Being able to pick the brain of teammate Marizanne Kapp sets Peschel up for another good season.

Star power: Sophie Devine

Leading up to a home World Cup, Devine will be aiming for a strong WBBL campaign to carry her form through. Having taken time out for her mental health this season, Devine will return fresh and ready to head into a busy six months.

SYDNEY SIXERS 2020 result: Fifth Emerging talent: Hayley SilverHolmes

Silver-Homes has been around the squad now for several years and while she has not always played a leading hand, the cricketing knowledge she’s been able to soak up in a team of champions has been invaluable.

Star power: Ash Gardner

In a team full of big names, look to off-spinner Gardner to step up with both bat and ball as the Sixers look to push back into the finals for the first time in three years.

SYDNEY THUNDER 2020 result: Champions

Emerging talent:

Hannah Darlington

Darlington’s bowling really stood up at the death last season but as teams research the seam bowling allrounder she will need to respond to the pressure. After winning a place in the Australian squad there’s now expectation about Darlington.

Star power: Sammy-Jo Johnson

Every summer, the quick seems to find new ways to get the job done against quality opponents. In the absence of English captain Heather Knight, Johnson will look to step up with the bat.