WBBL 2024: Jemimah Rodrigues to miss first two games, Brisbane Heat name replacement

Brisbane Heat will miss the services of Indian batter Jemimah Rodrigues for the first two matches of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) 2024. She is currently busy on national duty as India are facing New Zealand in a three-match ODI series, which culminates on Tuesday, October 29.

Brisbane Heat will be in action on the opening day of the 10th edition of WBBL as they face Adelaide Strikers on Sunday, October 27. It is also the rematch of last edition's final where the Strikers got the better of the Heat by three runs. After setting a target of 126, the Strikers restricted the Heat to 122/8 to successfully defend their title. Amanda-Jade Wellington won the Player of the Match award, for finishing with figures of 4-0-16-3. Laura Wolvaardt and captain Tahlia McGrath played crucial knocks of 39 and 38, respectively, to contribute to the win.

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The Jess Jonassen-led side will play their second game on Wednesday, October 30 against Melbourne Renegades. These are the two matches that Jemimah will miss due to her commitments with the Indian team.

The Heat have roped in England wicketkeeper-batter Lauren Winfield Hill to fill in for Jemimah. It is interesting to note that Lauren played for them in the inaugural edition back in 2015. Jemimah recently played in the Women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE, where Harmanpreet Kaur-led India were ousted in the first round after losing to Australia and New Zealand.

Indian players look to gain valuable T20 experience from WBBL

Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana will be plying her trade for Adelaide Strikers, her third franchise in the tournament after the Heat and Sydney Thunder. Jemimah and Smriti are among the six Indians in the WBBL. The others are Deepti Sharma, Yastika Bhatia, Shikha Pandey and Dayalan Hemalatha.

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Meanwhile, Melbourne Renegades have acquired the services of left-arm spinner Linsey Smith for an unspecified period of time. However, her availability for the tournament hangs in the balance, as she could get picked for England’s tour of South Africa from November 24 onwards.