Women's T20 Challenge 2022: 12 overseas stars including Heather Knight, Sophie Ecclestone lined up to play

Women’s T20 Challenge is set to return during the playoffs of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). BCCI announced the schedule for the three-team tournament a couple of days ago and the board is now busy confirming the availability of the overseas players. It has been reported that as many as 12 overseas stars are lined up to feature in the competition and that include England captain Heather Knight and ICC number one ranked bowler Sophie Ecclestone.

Interestingly, only one Australian Alana King has confirmed her availability as of now. Apart from Knight and Ecclestone, Danielle Wyatt, Sophie Dunkley, Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp, Deandra Dottin and Hayley Matthews are the other foreign players who have signed up to play in the tournament.

“Heather Knight has confirmed her presence. Alana has also confirmed and is the only Australian. A total of 12 overseas players are available,” a BCCI source said according to News18. The listed overseas stars are currently busy playing in the ongoing Fairbreak Invitational T20 tournament in the UAE.

Meanwhile, the Indian players are expected to be picked soon with the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy concluding only recently. The performances in the tournament will be taken into consideration while selecting the cricketers for the three teams.

Women’s T20 Challenge to commence on May 23

Even though the team-wise schedule is not announced, the Women’s T20 Challenge is set to commence on May 23. While the second and third game will take place on May 24 and 26 respectively, the final is set to happen on May 28, on the eve of the Men’s IPL final. All the matches will be played at the MCA Stadium in Pune.

This is expected to be the final edition of the Women’s T20 Challenge with the BCCI planning a full fledged six-team Women’s IPL from next year. Though not much is known about the same at the moment, it was reported earlier that the existing franchises from Men’s IPL will be given a chance to own the team in Women’s IPL as well.