Pushed back a little due to the Commonwealth Games, the Women's Hundred will get underway on Thursday after an opening season where it was widely regarded as the major success story of the new format. And this year, with travel much easier, there will be a far bigger representation from Australians in the tournament*
Nicola Carey (Welsh Fire)
Selected in the wildcard draft, allrounder Carey has been a bit-part player for Australia in recent times with one appearance at the ODI World Cup in New Zealand. May be competing with Annabel Sutherland for a starting spot.
Heather Graham (Northern Superchargers)
The allrounder was one of a handful of Australians to appear last season where she played for Trent Rockets. Was an ODI World Cup reserve in New Zealand and was also drafted into the T20I squad for the recent tour of Ireland.
Rachael Haynes (Welsh Fire)
She is Australia's middle-order safety net in T20Is, having rescued them from various challenging situations, none more so than the match against Sri Lanka in the 2020 T20 World Cup. A brilliant fielder.
Alyssa Healy (Northern Superchargers)
Healy has dominated the last two World Cup finals with her 75 off 39 balls against India in 2020 and the remarkable 170 off 138 balls against England earlier this year. Had a lean Commonwealth Games. Could form an overseas top three with Jemimah Rodrigues and Laura Wolvaardt.
Alana King (Trent Rockets)
One of the form bowlers in the world having enjoyed a meteoric rise in international cricket, the legspinner could be a matchwinner for Rockets. Will be especially challenging for batters who have not faced her before.
Tahlia McGrath (Southern Brave)
Has been one of the breakout stars in international cricket over the past year following her return to the side. Collected four player-of-the-match awards the first four times she batted in T20Is, including a brilliant unbeaten 91 in the Ashes.
Sophie Molineux (Birmingham Phoenix)
A chance for Molineux, the left-arm spinner and left-handed batter, to reestablish her credentials after a long-term injury picked up at the end of last season's WBBL and then the loss of her CA contract.
Beth Mooney (London Spirit)
One of the most adaptable batters in the game, Mooney will be even more important to Spirit after they lost England captain Heather Knight to injury. Has been the leading run-scorer in the last two editions of the WBBL (and was second the season before that).
Ellyse Perry (Birmingham Phoenix)
Remains to be seen whether Perry will be back to bowling fitness after her stress fracture. Having lost her place in Australia's T20I side and talk over her strike-rate, it will be interesting to see whether she can find another gear.
Megan Schutt (London Spirit)
Schutt is usually a banker for whichever team she is playing for at any stage of an innings. Capable of finding significant swing and has a variety of cutters and slower balls as well.
Molly Strano (Southern Brave)
Offspinner Strano has drifted out of the Australia scene since being called into the 2020 T20 World Cup squad at the last minute. Picked up as a wildcard, she is the leading wicket-taker in WBBL history.
Annabel Sutherland (Welsh Fire)
One of the emerging players in Australian cricket, Sutherland may get the chance to bat higher up the order than she does at international level.
Elyse Villani (Trent Rockets)
Has been prolific in domestic cricket over recent seasons but has not been able to force her way back into the Australia set-up. Adds depth to Rockets' top-order options.
Amanda-Jade Wellington (Southern Brave)
Another who appeared last year, Wellington grabbed her chance with 14 wickets and an economy rate of 5.52 to finish as the third-highest wicket-taker. Has since returned to the Australia side.
*This story was updated following the news of Meg Lanning's break from the game