It's the business end of the WBBL|03 season and with nine matches to play, things are about to get very interesting
Final four scenarios for the WBBL finals
1st: Sydney Sixers (16 points)
Played 12 | Won 8 | Lost 4 | NRR 0.957
The run home
Jan 27: v Strikers (home/Hurstville Oval)
Jan 28: v Strikers (home/Hurstville Oval)
The Sixers went through a bumpy patch but the reigning champions have come out the other side and returned to the top of the table courtesy of their strong net run rate. However, they can't afford to take things easy heading into finals - particularly considering they'll be going forward without star internationals Dane van Niekerk and Marizanne Kapp, who now return to South Africa to play India. They'll be wary of the Strikers, who are the big improvers of WBBL|03 and desperate to cement their first finals appearance.
2nd: Sydney Thunder (16 points)
Played 11 | Won 8 | Lost 3 | NRR 0.817
The run home
Jan 24: v Renegades (home/Manuka Oval)
Jan 27: v Heat (away/The Gabba)
Jan 28: v Heat (away/Allan Border Field)
The WBBL|01 champions have topped the table for much of the season and will be looking to secure it in their final three games, but it won't be easy as they take on two teams desperately fighting to keep their finals hopes alive: first, the Renegades in Canberra, then a double-header against a fluctuating Heat outfit who are capable of anything.
3rd: Adelaide Strikers (16 points)
Played 12 | Won 8 | Lost 4 | NRR 0.371
The run home
Jan 27: v Sixers (away/Hurstville Oval)
Jan 28: v Sixers (away/Hurstville Oval)
The Strikers have been the big improvers of WBBL|03 and are all but guaranteed to make their first finals appearance, but they'll get their biggest test yet in the final two matches, taking on reigning champions Sydney Sixers.
4th: Perth Scorchers (14 points)
Played 12 | Won 7 | Lost 5 | NRR 0.220
The run home
Jan 27: v Renegades (away/Camberwell Sports Ground)
Jan 27: v Renegades (away/Camberwell Sports Ground)
The Scorchers have had a mixed season and, while they are in the box seat for a finals berth, their spot in the top four isn't guaranteed. Win both matches against the Renegades and they are safe, anything less puts them in danger - particularly with their opponents in the final two matches, Melbourne Renegades, looking to steal their position
5th: Brisbane Heat (12 points)
Played 12 | Won 6 | Lost 6 | NRR 0.118
The run home
Jan 27: v Thunder (home/The Gabba)
Jan 28: v Thunder (home/Allan Border Field)
Everything would have to go right for the Heat to make finals for a second consecutive season, but if they can beat the Thunder in both their remaining matches, and if the Scorchers and Renegades both drop at least one of their final matches, they could still sneak in.
6th: Melbourne Renegades (10 points)
Played 11 | Won 5 | Lost 6 | NRR 0.358
The run home
Jan 24: v Thunder (away/Manuka Oval)
Jan 27: v Scorchers (home/Camberwell Sports Ground)
Jan 28: v Scorchers (home/Camberwell Sports Ground)
The Renegades' fate is very much in their hands with three games up their sleeve. First up they play the in-form Thunder in Canberra, before two matches against fourth-placed Perth Scorchers, whom they can equal - or even pass on points, should they win all three of their remaining matches. They also boast a superior net run rate to both the Scorchers and the Heat heading into the final week of the season.
7th: Melbourne Stars (8 points)
Played 12 | Won 4 | Lost 8 | NRR -0.804
The run home
Jan 27: v Hurricanes (home/MCG)
Jan 28: v Hurricanes (home/MCG)
Finals are off the table for the Stars, but they'll want to finish the season on a high on their home turf and the big stage of the MCG.
8th: Hobart Hurricanes (2 points)
Played 12 | Won 1 | Lost 11 | NRR -1.996
The run home
Jan 27: v Stars (away/MCG)
Jan 38: v Stars (away/MCG)
The Hurricanes have improved in leaps and bounds by the game are producing some of their best cricket at the business end of the season, so they'll want to finish on a high with away wins.