Heather Knight of Royal Challengers Bangalore performs a shot in the course of the WPL 2023 match between Royal Challengers Banlgalore and Delhi Capitals at Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai, on March 05, 2023.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images
Women’s Premier League (WPL) facet Royal Challengers Bangalore suffered a jolt on Saturday as their England recruit Heather Knight pulled out of the upcoming second season of the profitable T20 league starting February 23.
The Bengaluru-based franchise didn’t give any motive for Knight’s pulling out however England cricketers concerned within the WPL have been in a dilemma, as staying again for the enterprise finish of the T20 League might result in them lacking out on their nation’s five-match T20I collection in New Zealand.
Knight is the captain of the England crew.
The ultimate of WPL is scheduled for March 17 whereas the visiting England crew’s first T20I towards New Zealand shall be performed in Dunedin on March 19.
RCB has named South African all-rounder Nadine de Klerk as substitute for Knight.
“England captain Heather Knight has pulled out of the upcoming season of the Women’s Premier League 2024. The Royal Challengers Bangalore have named Nadine de Klerk as her replacement,” the WPL stated in a press release.
De Klerk, who bowls medium-fast and bats right-handed, has featured in 30 ODIs and 46 T20Is.
According to stories, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has instructed gamers concerned within the WPL that they won’t be thought of for the primary three T20Is in New Zealand in the event that they keep in India until the tip of the T20 league.
The ECB is predicted to call the England squad subsequent week.
Besides Knight, different gamers attributable to characteristic in WPL 2024 are: Alice Capsey (Delhi Capitals), Issy Wong and Nat Sciver-Brunt (Mumbai Indians), Kate Cross (Royal Challengers Bangalore), Sophie Ecclestone and Danni Wyatt (UP Warriorz).
Lauren Bell, who was attributable to play for UP Warriorz, pulled out of the WPL on Friday, saying her precedence was preparation for the tour of New Zealand.
