It's less than a month until the WBBL kicks off and teams are almost fully locked in with some exciting signings that are set to leave cricket fans anticipating the fast-approaching season.

Sydney Thunder 

The Sydney Thunder won the competition last year and have wasted no time putting themselves in the best position this year to defend their title with four new signings to kick off the 2021/22 season.

Sydney's superstar captain and Australia's vice-captain Rachel Haynes has signed with Thunder for another year. The left-handed batter has scored 2,602 runs from 129 international matches in her career and was a part of the T20 World Cup played in March last year at the MCG.

She has undoubtedly starred for the Thunder since signing with the team in 2015 and received the honour of the Alex Blackwell Medal as Thunder's Player of the Tournament in the WBBL third season (2018).

After six seasons with the Hurricanes, Corine Hall will join Sydney Thunder with a one year deal. The star batter spent six years at Hobart scoring close to 1,000 runs and is excited to be joining the group of defending premiers for another WBBL season.

Young gun Tahlia Wilson has re-signed with the Thunder after a successful season last year. The wicketkeeper and batter played her first season with Sydney Sixers and after making the move to Thunder has impressed the team with her work ethic and promise as a player.

Despite being one of the younger players, Wilson has a decorated sporting resume including her 2018 selection for the Women's Australian Under 19 team who toured in South Africa.

Also receiving a two-year contract is promising teen Olivia Porter who sadly couldn't play at the elite level as a fully contracted player last year due to a serious injury.

However, the fast bowler's two year deal with the Thunder provides hope for the teen to continue pursuing her Big Bash career.

First match (Saturday October 16): Sydney Thunder vs Adelaide Strikers 

Sydney Sixers 

Last season the Sydney Sixers fell short of making it into the WBBL semi-finals and have also made four new signings to bring the team into final form. To start off, the Sixers have secured Perth Scorcher and international veteran Nicole Bolton with an exciting two-year contract.

Bolton will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team with 55 international matches for Australia to her name. The star all-rounder is originally from Perth but will make the move after six years with the Scorchers.

After five years in red, Maitlan Brown will make the move from Melbourne Renegades to play for the Sixers on a three-year deal. The 24-year old fast bowler had to finish her 2020/21 season early due to a serious hamstring injury but will return this year recovered and ready to play for the team in her home state.

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For 21-year-old wicketkeeper Matilda Lugg, a deal with the Sixers was an exciting and unexpected surprise after playing three seasons with ATC Meteors. Lugg got a call from the team asking her to join as a backup wicketkeeper and  was more than happy to join the team, achieving her dream of playing at the elite Big Bash level.

First Match (Thursday 14th of October): Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars 

Melbourne Renegades

Last year's season came to a disappointing end after a 43-run loss to the Brisbane Heat however the Melbourne Renegades have re-signed and introduced young talent for the new season.

Making the move from Melbourne Stars, fast pace bowler Holly Ferling will join the team in red for the upcoming season. After three seasons with the Stars, Ferling brings great playing experience to the team with 60 WBBL matches to her name as well as representing Australia at 34 international cricket matches.

During her three seasons with the Stars the  25-year old Queenslander scored 22 wickets from 32 matches and will become the only specialist fast pace bowler for the Renegades.

Last year the Renegades experienced a number of injuries from key players and young players had a chance to step in and develop their playing style. The young players excelled by the end of the season and the Renegades have re-signed three of the talented players for the season.

Recommitting to the Renegades are young guns Courtney Webb, Georgia Wareham and Carly Leeson. All three are promising players and will continue develop in red ahead of the seventh season.

First match (Saturday October 16): Melbourne Renegades vs Hobart Hurricanes 

Melbourne Stars 

The Melbourne Stars fell short to Sydney Thunder in the grand final last year and will be sure to avenge the loss with their newest signing of Irish superstar Kim Gath. The bowler has played for both Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers and boasts a decorated career in cricket having played in international matches and earlier this year became Ireland's female cricketer of the decade.

The Stars have also signed on three emerging youngsters with batter Anna Lanning and talented teen Georgia Gall re-signing as well as  Rhys McKenna receiving her first deal in Big Bash competition.

First Match (Thursday 14th of October): Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars

Hobart Hurricanes 

From promising up and comers to star veterans the Hobart Hurricanes have scored some major signings for the seventh season. WBBL leading wicket taker Molly Stranno will play in purple this year after making history last year as the first player to take 100 WBBL wickets in league history. Strano was a member of the Australian cricket team who won the 2020 ICC T20 World Cup last year in March.

Veteran batter Mignon Du Preez will also commit to the Hurricanes after four straight seasons with Melbourne Stars. At 32-years of age the South African cricketer has a wealth of experience having represented her country in 108 T20 Internationals and 137 One-Day Internationals.

The Hurricanes have also secured some impressive young talent with Sydney Thunder's Rachel Trenaman returning to her homeland to play in purple after helping the Thunder to victory last year.

The 20-year-old joined the Sydney squad in 2015 and has played 23 matches with a stunning 96.62 strike rate across three seasons with the Stars. Recommitting to the Hurricanes, Amy Smith has inked a two-year deal after a fantastic debut season.

The 16-year old talent played 13 matches in purple and was given the opportunity to play at the elite level due to teammate Maisy Gibson suffering a serious injury. Rachel Priest and Nicola Carey have also committed to the Hurricanes for the 2021 season.

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First match (Saturday October 16): Melbourne Renegades vs Hobart Hurricanes 

Perth Scorchers

The team from west have brought the world-class standard to their signings this year with Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu and South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp joining the Perth Scorchers.

Athapaththu will be returning after playing for the Melbourne Renegades in 2017  and is well known for batting 178 not out against the Australian attack at the 2017 ICC Women's World Cup. Marizanne Kapp is the world ranked No.1 One Day International all-rounder and  will join the team after playing with the Sydney Sixers.

Also recommitting to the Scorchers for the league's seventh edition are: Chloe Piparo, Samatha Betts, Mathilda Carmichael, Alana King and Sophie Devine.

First match (Sunday17th of October): Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat 

Adelaide Strikers 

Last season the  Adelaide Strikers were knocked out of finals' contention early but proved, in their last match against Perth Scorchers, that their team showed plenty of promise and fans can remain optimistic for the upcoming season.

Tahlia McGrath was the last player to sign with the Strikers this week and what a way for the Strikers to complete their team with the second-highest run-scorer in WBBL history. McGrath has played international cricket for Australia and is one of the country's leading all-rounders. She is originally from South Australia and will join Adelaide for another three years.

Also re-joining the Strikers in the south is one of Adelaide's favourite batters Katie Mack who has played 83 WBBL matches achieving an average strike rate of 95.  Mack is a versatile player who demonstrates strong athleticism as a fielder as well as batting.

Teammate, and good friend, Madeline Penna will join the Strikers alongside Katie Mack. The two previously played for the ACT Meteors and will now reunite in blue for Adelaide this season. Penna was a replacement for Melbourne Stars last year and impressed the Strikers with her bowling tricks and skill around the wicket.

Returning after her debut season in blue last year is South African international Laura Wolvaardt, the Strikers' highest run-scorer last year. The 22-year old began her cricket career at 16 years of age and has since gone on to play T20 international cricket with 100 fixtures to her name.

Known for her right arm leg spin, Amanda-Jade Wellington is a talent also returning to the Strikers. She is one Adelaide fans can get excited to watch due to her world-class spinning ability and success around the wicket.

First match (Saturday October 16): Sydney Thunder vs Adelaide Strikers 

Brisbane Heat

Brisbane has tuned up the heat securing South African talent Anneke Bosch who will join South African teammate Nadine de Klerk for the upcoming season. Earlier this year Anneke Bosch played cricket for the Eastern Cape of South Africa and was one of the leading players for the Proteas on their tour of India.

The Heat played a strong season last year making it to the semi-finals however were defeated by the Sydney Thunder. The Heat have recently backed star all-rounder Amelia Kerr on her decision to withdraw from the approaching season to prioritise her mental health. She signed a two-year deal last summer to remain with the Heat squad but will not appear this year and the team has supported her decision.

First match (Sunday17th of October): Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat