Big blow to RCB, England's superstar player withdraws; SA all-rounder called in as replacement

Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) suffered a big blow as Heather Knight has withdrawn from the upcoming season of the Women's Premier League (WPL). It will be a big setback for RCB ahead of the WPL 2024 which is set to start from February 23. Heather Knight was a standout performer for RCB last year despite Smriti Mandhana's team's torrid run in WPL 2023. The star English batter excelled and made a significant impact with her performances in both batting and bowling for RCB in the last edition of the WPL.

However, the Bengaluru-based franchise did not specify the reason for Knight's withdrawal, but English players participating in the WPL faced a tough choice as as staying back for the business end of the T20 League could lead to them missing out on their country's five-match T20I series in New Zealand.

Notably, Knight serves as the captain of the England women's cricket team. The WPL final is slated for March 17, while England's first T20I against New Zealand in Dunedin is scheduled for March 19.

Meanwhile, as a replacement for Knight, RCB has appointed South African all-rounder Nadine de Klerk.

"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 said in a statement.

Nadine de Klerk, a right-handed batter and medium-fast bowler, has played in 30 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 46 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).

Recent reports suggest that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has informed its players in the WPL that they will be ineligible for the first three T20Is against New Zealand if they choose to remain in India for the conclusion of the T20 league.

The ECB plans to announce the England squad for the series next week.

Apart from Heather Knight, the WPL 2024 will feature several other English players: Alice Capsey with Delhi Capitals, Issy Wong and Nat Sciver-Brunt with Mumbai Indians, Kate Cross with Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Sophie Ecclestone and Danni Wyatt with UP Warriorz.

Lauren Bell, initially set to play for UP Warriorz, withdrew from the WPL on Friday, prioritizing her preparation for the upcoming New Zealand tour.

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