'Sport can be so rewarding, yet so cruel sometimes' - Beth Mooney shares emotional message after unfortunate WPL 2023 exit

Australian opening batter Beth Mooney, who was ruled out for the remainder of the Women's Premier League, shared an emotional message via her Instagram handle on Thursday, in the aftermath of her unfortunate injury in the tournament opener in Navi Mumbai.

The Australian ace suffered a calf injury during her side's campaign opener against the Mumbai Indians and has been replaced by South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt for the remainder of the season. The Australian batting ace was gutted after missing out on the tournament and hopes to make a strong comeback in the next edition.

"And though I will be away from the field of play for the rest of the season, I am looking forward to coming back stronger, and fitter and I will definitely be hungrier next season. For now, I wish the Adani Gujarat Giants squad all the very best for the rest of the WPL season,” said Beth Mooney in an official statement.

I look forward to meeting up with the team and cannot wait to get going: Wolvaardt

Meanwhile, South Africa's star batter Laura Wolvaardt was named Mooney's replacement by the Gujarat Giants. Wolvaardt played a crucial role in South Africa's run-through to the final of the recently concluded T20 World Cup on their home soil. The 23-year-old expressed her delight in joining the Gujarat Giants and is looking forward to her stint with the franchise.

“I am so excited to be joining the Gujarat Giants. It is an incredible opportunity and I’m very grateful to be able to play in the WPL. I look forward to meeting up with the team and cannot wait to get going," Wolvaardt said in a statement.

Sneh Rana, who was named the deputy to Mooney ahead of the tournament, will take over as the full-time captain, while Ashleigh Gardner has been named the new vice-captain.

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