English
New Delhi: The England women’s cricketers are facing a dilemma to choose between country and franchise as the second edition of the Women’s Premier League clashes with their bilateral T20I series against New Zealand. England women will be playing five T20Is against New Zealand between March 19 and 29. On the other hand, the WPL starts on February 23 with the final to be played on March 17. On paper, it shows the players are getting a two-day gap between the WPL final and the first T20I, but it would be logistically impossible to manage both sides.
According to an ESPNCricinfo report, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has told the players that those who will be involved in the WPL final are not going to be considered for the first three T20Is against New Zealand. England are yet to announce their squads for New Zealand tour next week.
As many as seven English players are a part of WPL 2024. They are Alice Capsey (Delhi Capitals), Issy Wong, Nat Sciver-Brunt (both Mumbai Indians), Kate Cross, Heather Knight (both Royal Challengers Bangalore), Sophie Ecclestone and Danni Wyatt (UP Warriorz). Jon Lewis, head coach of England, is also the head coach of UP Warriorz.
Last year in December, a similar situation arose where Bess Heath and Danielle Gibson had to miss the Women’s Big Bash League final in Australia as they joined the England squad in India ahead of the T20I series. However, neither of them featured in the first T20I.
Another aspect that would make the players scratch their heads is the finances. The ECB has raised the women’s match fees making with equal with that of men, last year. On the other hand, the WPL salaries range from Rs 30 lakh (£30,000 approx.) to Rs 3.2 crore (£320,000 approx).
Based on the report, RCB are likely to miss Knight as the England skipper is expected to make herself available for the entire New Zealand tour. As compared to ECB, New Zealand Cricket thinks different as they allowed all-rounder Amelia Kerr to play for Mumbai Indians and miss a T20I against Pakistan.
Meanwhile, England’s Lauren Bell decided to opt out of WPL 2024 to prepare for the New Zealand tour. She has been replaced with Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu in the UP Warriorz side.
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