The WBBL is open to shifting the timing of its new stadium series next summer but is unlikely to heed calls from Englishwomen involved and move back to double-headers with the men's game.
Greater interest in women's cricket led WBBL organisers to dip their toes in bigger venues for the ninth iteration of the tournament.
WBBL games were played at the SCG and the MCG over the weekend for the first time since the tournament moved to its own October-November window in 2019, with two more hosted at Adelaide Oval.
"It's a really good starting point," Adelaide Strikers all-rounder Tahlia McGrath said of the stadium series.
"For us, the more opportunities we get to play in major stadiums, we're all for it,"
By setting the stadium series as late in the regular season as possible, the league had ample time to promote it.
But the fixtures became dead rubbers from a play-offs perspective as the four finalists had all but been confirmed in advance.
The WBBL could realistically have hoped for five-figure crowds at the SCG and MCG fixtures, but they drew 7118 and 5993 respectively.
AAP understands the series will not be a one-off weekend and that organisers will consider shifting it earlier in the program next time in the hopes of keeping fixtures live and generating greater fan interest.
"It'd be a great way to kick off the season, in my opinion, to actually really draw attention to the WBBL season," said Hobart Hurricanes captain Elyse Villani.
"Start with a bang at the big stadiums and the big contests between the teams as well and make sure there's some stuff on the line."
One way to keep the WBBL in front of large crowds at big venues could be to switch back to double-headers, but the league is reluctant.
For its first four iterations, the WBBL ran in conjunction with the men's BBL and played games at the same stadium on the same day, hoping to put a spotlight on the burgeoning women's competition.
Spying a rare period of clear air on the busy cricket calendar, the WBBL moved it to its own window in spring from 2019.
English white-ball competition The Hundred has found success stacking women's and men's games back-to-back at the same stadium.
"I've seen what double-headers do. I think for me that's the way forward," said Sydney Sixers coach Charlotte Edwards, who also coaches in The Hundred.
In total, just under 300,000 people attended the 2023 women's edition of The Hundred, where all games are played as double-headers with the men's tournament.
"The crowds during the women's game are massive," said England and Sydney Thunder captain Heather Knight.
"It's such a buzz to play in front of that many people. (The women's and men's games) are billed as equal, which I think really helps.
"It's certainly been a huge success back in England."
But playing double-headers with the men would involve shifting the women's competition back to the December-January period and possibly creating a similar scenario to the BBL, often missed by the busy international players.
There is also concern delaying the tournament could force overworked players to choose between the WBBL and the more lucrative Women's Premier League in India, which begins in early March.
