RCB star player pulls out of tournament, franchise announces replacement

Heather Knight becomes the second England player to pull out from the Women Premier League (WPL) 2024. Royal Challengers Bangalore have roped in South African all-rounder Nadine de Klerk as her replacement.

Heather took to X and wrote: “Sad to announce I’m withdrawing from the @wplt20 this year, but it’s the right thing for me to be available for the whole England tour of NZ. All the best @RCBTweets and @mandhana_smriti for the coming season ????????.”

England captain took this decision as WPL 2024 dates are clashing with the tour against New Zealand.

It is a big setback for the Bangalore-based team ahead of the WPL 2024 which is set to start from February 23. Heather Knight was one of the best performers for the Smriti Mandhana-led despite their torrid run in the previous season. The star English player contributed in the batting and bowling departments in WPL 2023.

“England captain Heather Knight will not take part in the upcoming season of the Women’s Premier League 2024. The Royal Challengers Bangalore have signed Nadine de Klerk as her replacement,” the WPL said in a statement.

Nadine de Klerk, who is also an all-rounder, has represented South Africa in 46 T20Is and 30 one-day internationals.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has informed the English players that they will be ineligible to play for the team in the first three T20Is against New Zealand if they choose to play full season of the Women Premier League.