Lanning's Stars host unbeaten Sixers as Capsey settles into the gloves at Junction Oval

Melbourne Stars return to Junction Oval on Friday night a win short of the season they planned, against a Sydney Sixers side that has not yet lost in WBBL|12

The Stars sit fifth with one win from three matches and a net run rate of -0.300, two points from a start that has already cost them ground. The Sixers arrive second, unbeaten in two, with a net run rate of 2.25 that only the table-topping Perth Scorchers have bettered.

Melbourne have named an unchanged 13 for the fixture: Meg Lanning (c), Tia Davidge, Sophie Day, Charlie Dean, Kim Garth, Dani Gibson, Maisy Gibson, Amy Jones, Carly Leeson, Rhys McKenna, Georgia Prestwidge, Naomi Stalenberg and Annabel Sutherland.

It is their second visit to Junction Oval this week, and the first ball is due at 7.10pm AEDT.

A habit of falling short

Monday's 15-run defeat to the Scorchers followed a pattern the Stars have not shaken. Garth, who was trapped lbw reverse-sweeping Alana King, said she lost sleep over the shot.

"I think for us where we've probably missed out over the past few years is just our ability to get over the line," Garth said, pointing to good positions the side has failed to convert rather than to any shortage of talent.

The one win on the board suggests the method is sound when it holds. The Stars beat the reigning champion Hobart Hurricanes by 18 runs at the same ground on 29 October, posting 192 for 4 and holding the Hurricanes to 174 for 8.

Capsey takes the gloves

The Sixers have reshaped their wicketkeeping since Alyssa Healy retired, and the job has gone to England's Alice Capsey rather than to a specialist. Maddy Darke, the more experienced local option, is out of the tournament injured, and 21-year-old Grace Lyons has come in as a replacement player.

"It's a little bit of a different role to what I'm used to, but it's been really good fun," Capsey said of the switch, adding that she has not yet been asked to take anything down the leg side standing up.

Coach Charlotte Edwards has suggested the arrangement could become permanent. Capsey had already been England's back-up keeper before the T20 World Cup, after Amy Jones was rested for a September series against Ireland — and Jones is in the Stars squad for Friday.

Lanning leads the run charts

Lanning is the competition's leading scorer with 144 runs, top of the BKT Golden Bat standings, and her 71 off 52 against the Hurricanes was her 35th WBBL half-century.

Annabel Sutherland has been the other Stars batter to cash in, striking 57 off 26 in that win and returning 3-34 with the ball.

The Sixers will also field a batter with history at this ground in Sophia Dunkley, the former No.1 draft pick who has played for the Stars.

A hundred games for Maisy Gibson

Friday is Maisy Gibson's 100th WBBL appearance. The seamer has taken 84 wickets at 21.11 across those matches.

Sophie Day, the Stars' leading wicket-taker across the past three seasons, found her range against Perth with 2-17 from four overs, removing Katie Mack. She spent 12 weeks of the winter playing men's club cricket in Darwin.

"It was nice to have that practice and try to implement some things," Day said.

What the ladder says

Perth lead on six points from three wins, with the Sixers and Sydney Thunder on four. Adelaide Strikers, the Stars, Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Renegades are level on two, and Hobart are yet to win.

With the table that tight this early, a home win would move the Stars up several places on net run rate alone.

Melbourne Stars play Sydney Sixers in the 12th match of the season at Junction Oval on Friday.