The 8th edition of the Women’s Big Bash League got underway on the 13th of October and Indian skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur was scheduled to join her team, Melbourne Renegades at the Bash post the T20 Asia Cup tournament, but now there’s a confirmation on her set to miss the ongoing edition of the Bash.
Skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur’s national commitments of leading the Indian side at the T20 Asia Cup, forced her to miss an opening couple of games at the Big Bash, but when she was expected to join her franchise, Melbourne Renegades it’s learned that she’s withdrawn due to a back issue.
Harmanpreet Kaur in the previous edition of the Bash for the Melbourne Renegades finished with 406 runs to her name off 12 innings and registered an average of 58.00, a strike rate of 130.96 and had the highest score of 81* to her name. Harmanpreet Kaur the bowler too got her best to the show having picked up 15 wickets at an economy rate of 7.45 and for her efforts was awarded as the ‘Player of the Tournament’.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s absence undoubtedly has left a void in the Renegades camp and their overseas replacement singing of Eve Jones, who was signed for the first couple of games, has now been handed an extension for at least a couple more games until the side work out to get the best name for the role.
Melbourne Renegades general manager, James Rosengarten, said, “Harmanpreet was fantastic for us last season and we were looking forward to having her as part of our squad again this year, but unfortunately she has been ruled out through injury. Eve will stay on with our squad for at least the next couple of matches, as we work through the best strategy for our squad for the remainder of the tournament.”
Harmanpreet Kaur took to Twitter to express her disappointment in missing out on the ongoing edition of the Bash. Quoting, “Sad to miss out of the #WBBL08 this season. Will miss playing with my RED Team ❤️ Do well, @RenegadesWBBL! Love to all ❤️”
No Harmanpreet Kaur in WBBL Season 8, confirms Melbourne Renegades General Manager#CricketTwitter #WBBL08 pic.twitter.com/dZzbHlhTGT
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) October 19, 2022
Melbourne Renegades squad :
Sophie Molineux (C), Sarah Coyte, Josie Dooley, Ellie Falconer, Ella Hayward, Shabnim Ismail, Eve Jones, Erica Kershaw, Carly Leeson, Hayley Matthews, Rhiann O’Donnell, Georgia Prestwidge, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham, Courtney Webb
Sad to miss out of the #WBBL08 this season. Will miss playing with my RED Team ❤️
Do well, @RenegadesWBBL!
Love to all ❤️— Harmanpreet Kaur (@ImHarmanpreet) October 19, 2022
Other Indian overseas in the league, Jemimah Rodrigues has grouped with her team, Melbourne Stars and has also taken the field for her first game in the lime green colours, while Pooja Vastrakar is soon expected to group with the Brisbane Heat.
(Quote sources from Melbourne Renegades Official Site)
