Royal Challengers Bangalore name Nadine de Klerk as replacement for Heather Knight

England captain Heather Knight has pulled out of the upcoming season of the TATA Women’s Premier League (WPL)  2024. The Royal Challengers Bangalore have named Nadine de Klerk as her replacement. The South African all-rounder, who bowls medium-fast and bats right-handed, has featured in 30 ODIs and 46 T20Is.

Notably, Knight featured in all eight matches for RCB in the inaugural season of the WPL in 2023. The 33-year-old scored 135 runs from eight innings in the season at an average of 22.50 and a strike rate of 140.62. On the other hand, with the ball she scalped four wickets at an average of 19.50 but was highly expensive with an economy of 11.14. 

Earlier, England fast bowler Lauren Bell also withdrew from the second season of the league as UP Warriorz have named Chamari Athapaththu as her replacement. The Sri Lankan captain was signed at her base price of INR 30 Lakh. Notably, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has asked players to choose between national duty or franchise cricket as the England women's team is scheduled to tour New Zealand in mid-March. The tour will feature five T20Is and three ODIs beginning from March 19 at University Oval, Dunedin.

Meanwhile, WPL 2024 will begin from February 23 with the opening game scheduled between last time finalists Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The tournament will feature a total of 22 matches with 11 each to be hosted by Bengaluru and Delhi respectively. The first half of the tournament will be held in Bengaluru while the second half will be played at the Arun Jaitely Stadium in Delhi.

WPL 2024 final to be played on March 17

The tournament will be played in the same format as the first edition with the team finishing on the top in the group stage qualifying for the final while the teams finishing on the second and third spot will battle it out in the Eliminator to decide the second finalist. The Eliminator game will be held on March 15 and the all-important final will be played on March 17 in Delhi.