England captain Heather Knight withdraws from Women’s Premier League to prioritise New Zealand tour - 'The right thing'
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Published 28/01/2024 at 13:40 GMT
Heather Knight has decided to withdraw from the Women’s Premier League to focus on England’s tour of New Zealand. The England captain was due to play for Royal Challengers Bangalore. She is the second player to drop WPL duties after Lauren Bell withdrew from the UP Warriorz squad. "It's the right thing for me to be available for the whole England tour of NZ,” Knight wrote on social media.
Heather Knight captain of England looks on before the start of the day 3 of the Test match between India Women and England Women.
Image credit: Getty Images
England captain Heather Knight has withdrawn from the 2024 Women’s Premier League to focus on her country's upcoming tour of New Zealand.
Knight was due to represent Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the WPL T20 tournament, which will be played from Friday, February 23 to Sunday, March 17.
However, England’s tour of New Zealand gets underway on Tuesday, March 19.
"Sad to announce I'm withdrawing from the WPL this year, but it's the right thing for me to be available for the whole England tour of NZ,” Knight wrote on social media.
The experienced international played eight times for RCB during the WPL’s inaugural season.
She scored 135 runs and took four wickets in total, and had been replaced by South Africa all-rounder Nadine de Klerk for the second edition.
The 33-year-old became the second England player to drop WPL duties with a focus on the New Zealand tour in a matter of days.
Lauren Bell confirmed her decision to withdraw from the UP Warriorz on Friday.
"I am gutted to be missing this year's WPL with the UP Warriorz," Bell said, who has been replaced in the squad by Chamari Athapaththu.
"My priority at this time is my preparation for England’s tour of NZ & so unfortunately I've had to withdraw from the competition. I'll be supporting the girls from afar."
Six more England internationals are still set to feature in the WPL.
The list includes Mumbai Indians pair Nat Sciver-Brunt and Issy Wong, Alice Capsey (Delhi Capitals), Kate Cross (Royal Challengers Bangalore), and UP Warriorz duo Sophie Ecclestone and Danni Wyatt.
Head coach Jon Lewis also leads UP Warriorz and his plans are unclear at this stage.
England will play five T20s and three One-Day Internationals against New Zealand between Tuesday, March 19 and Sunday, April 7.
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