As The Cricketer reported on Saturday, the overlap between the latter stages of the second WPL and England's pre-series camp ahead of the first T20I in Dunedin has proven a complicated matter
Heather Knight has withdrawn from the upcoming Women's Premier League in light of the clash with England's tour of New Zealand.
As The Cricketer reported on Saturday, the overlap between the latter stages of the second WPL and England's pre-series camp ahead of the first T20I in Dunedin has proven a complicated matter.
Mumbai Indians face Delhi Capitals on February 23 in a repeat of last year's final to open the 2024 competition, with the tournament set to conclude on March 17.
Meanwhile, England are due to fly to New Zealand at the end of February in preparation for a white-ball tour consisting of five T20Is and three ODIs.
The first T20I – to be played at University Oval in Dunedin – is scheduled for March 19, two days after the WPL final.
Knight was due to represent Royal Challengers Bangalore, while Lauren Bell – who has also pulled out – was set to feature for UP Warriorz, whose head coach is due to be Jon Lewis. The Cricketer understands, though, that Lewis is set to be with England from the outset of the tour.
An ECB statement explained: "When schedules were released, it became clear to be available and prepare optimally for the first game of England's tour to New Zealand would mean missing the end of the WPL campaign and Knight has decided to prioritise participating in the full international tour whilst allowing the franchise to find a replacement for the whole competition."
The WPL finishes two days before England's first T20I in India (Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)
The Cricketer understands that players have been given the option to either join the tour at the end of the WPL or ahead of the series, but with those who arrive after the WPL to miss the first three T20Is.
England are keen to protect their players' workloads in the context of a heavy schedule over the next 18 months but are also wary of the opportunity – both financial and developmental – afforded by the tournament, which was an enormous success in its inaugural year.
They are expected to name reinforcements for the first three T20Is – perhaps even a separate squad for the beginning of the series – to give clarity to a situation that might otherwise mean players arriving after the end of the group stage a week before the start of the series, after the playoff on March 15 or after the final two days later.
That is made easier by having a concurrent England A tour taking place in the country, while it is also felt that providing clarity is important for those players selected as reinforcements.
Following the withdrawals of Knight and Bell, six England players – Alice Capsey, Issy Wong, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone and Danni Wyatt – have contracts for the competition.
It is believed that New Zealand Cricket are set to allow their players to take part in the final on January 17, should they get so far, and still play in the first T20I on January 19.
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.