Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on February 3 announced two replacements for their overseas stars ahead of the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL) season. Australia’s Heather Graham and Kim Garth have replaced New Zealand’s Sophie Devine and England’s Kate Cross respectively.
Devine and Cross had pulled out of the WPL 2025 due to personal reasons. The two Australian players have joined Smriti Mandhana-led RCB for RS 30 lakh each.
UP Warriorz announce Healy’s replacement
Meanwhile, UP Warriorz announced replacement for their captain Alyssa Healy. The Australian skipper decided to pull of the the season due to a recurring foot injury. She has been replaced by West Indies’ Chinelle Henry. The West Indies all-rounder has joined the franchise for Rs 30 lakh.
Stats of RCB’s Aussie duo
Fast bowler Graham has played five T20Is and taken eight wickets at an average of 14.12 including a four-wicket haul. The Ireland-born Australian all-rounder Garth had played for Gujarat Giants in the inaugural edition. From seven games, she bagged 11 wickets at an average of 17.54 including a five-wicket haul. She has played 59 T20Is so far and taken 49 wickets at an average of 21.61. With the bat, she has scored 764 runs at an average of 23.15 including a fifty.
Warriorz’s new recruit’s T20I numbers
The 29-year-old Henry has played 64 T20Is and taken 22 wickets at an average of 34.59 but his economy rate of 6.84 runs per over is decent. With the bat, she has scored 473 runs at an average of 14.78. She is yet to score a half-century in the format.
When will new overseas recruits take the field?
The WPL 2025 will begin on February 14 with defending champions RCB taking on Gujarat Giants. Henry is likely to be seen in action in UP Warriorz’s campaign opener against Gujarat Giants on February 16.