WBBL set to enter the spotlight

The success of the inaugural rebel Women's Big Bash League won't be measured by television ratings or bums on seats but whether it attracts more girls to playing cricket.

While history was made in the men's game last week with the first day-night Test, the women's game has taken a giant step forward with a T20 competition that has attracted the world's best players.

Eight matches will be televised live on free to air television via Network Ten.

Cricket Australia's Big Bash League boss Mike McKenna said the competition, which starts this weekend, is a long-term investment into the women's game.

"To be perfectly honest, we're not that concerned about attendance figures," McKenna said.

"We're pretty keen to see how the broadcast goes and what it looks like on television but the most important thing is that it's inspiring girls to play cricket," McKenna said.

"If we see recruitment numbers going up at clubs and school or girls playing at the park or the beach, that's what we're looking to see and that's what would constitute a successful first season."

McKenna said female involvement was the fastest growing part of the game in Australia.

Like it's fraternal counterpart, the WBBL has eight teams and will play 59 matches over 51 days.

National captain and world No.1 ranked batter Meg Lanning, who will skipper the Melbourne Stars, felt it was a massive leap for the women's game.

"I think we've seen the power hitting and the athleticism of the women's game increase over the last few years so we're looking forward to getting out there and showing what the women's game can produce," Lanning said.

"There's no doubt the women's game has improved a lot over the last few years and the Southern Stars have been very successful at World Cups and the Ashes as well and the WBBL is now the next step."

Of the 17 internationals spread among the teams, is England captain Charlotte Edwards, who will play with Perth, as well as wicketkeeper and noted run scorer Sarah Taylor, who has signed for Adelaide.

Teenage West Indies allrounder Hayley Matthews will line up with Hobart while South African opener Dane van Niekerk is with the Melbourne Renegades.

The Melbourne Stars and Brisbane Heat meet this Saturday at Melbourne's Junction Oval while the Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers clash on Sunday at Howell Oval in Penrith.