As the auction commenced on the 13th of this month at the Jio Global Convention Centre, the five franchises created their teams for the Women’s Premier League inaugural season using the conventional process (WPL).

The tournament’s first edition is scheduled in Mumbai from March 4 to March 26. In this journal, we see each franchise’s top picks for their respective arsenals under the hammer. 

Royal Challengers Bangalore- Smriti Mandhana

Smriti Mandhana, the first player being under the hammer, drew a fierce bidding battle between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore, with the latter finally luring her in for a staggering Rs 3.4 crore. It made Mandhana the most expensive auction choice and provided Royal Challengers Bangalore with the choice of a suitable and prospective Indian captain.

Mumbai Indians- Natalie Sciver

Natalie Sciver, the impeccable English all-rounder, became the second most expensive player in the inaugural WPL for a colossal Rs 3.2 Crore. And of course, the Mumbai Indians squad’s top pick. Sciver broke into the scene as a skiddy medium-pace bowler, but she enhanced her batting abilities significantly. Sciver holds the distinction of becoming the first bowler in T20 cricket to record a hat-trick. She was a member of England’s World Cup-winning side in 2017 and was named one of five Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 2018 for her contribution to the success.

Delhi Capitals- Jemimah Rodrigues

Jemimah Rodrigues, a phenomenal top-order batter has got roped in by the Delhi Capitals for a staggering Rs. 2.2 Crore. She is undoubtedly the most talented next-generation player on the Indian women’s squad right now. The amount of time she gets to play shots and her easy power-hitting talents, in particular, distinguish her. Adding cherry to the cake, she is an excellent fielder who can play wherever on the field.

Gujarat Giants- Ashleigh Gardner

The new franchise, Gujarat Giants, has broken the bank by acquiring the Aussie off-spinning allrounder Ashleigh Gardner for a whooping Rs 3.2 Cr, making her the second most expensive buy of the season. Gardner has blossomed into a burgeoning star to watch as Australia looks to recapture tonnes of skill with both bat and ball. She went on to play a pivotal part in Australia’s World Cup campaign, and Ashes win.

UP Warriorz- Deepti Sharma

The Agra-born seasoned Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma is all set to represent her home state, UP Warriors. Being bought for a colossal Rs 2.6 Crore, she’s hailed as the second most expensive Indian player in the recent WPL auction. Also, she would be the team’s vice-captain in the upcoming season.  

England captain Heather Knight and deputy Nat Sciver have returned to the squad for December’s white-ball tour of the West Indies. At the same time, Lauren Winfield-Hill has been handed a T20 international recall. Knight missed this summer’s Commonwealth Games with a hip injury and then also sat out the matches at home to India in September after undergoing surgery to fix the issue. While all-rounder Sciver withdrew from the India series in order to focus on her mental health.

Knight and Sciver are back for the three one-day internationals. Also, five T20 internationals in the Caribbean will be played between December 4 and December 22. Bowler Katherine Brunt is back in the T20 squad after being rested for the India series. At the same time, top-order batter Winfield-Hill has been rewarded for successful Hundred, Big Bash and Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy tournaments with a recall to the T20 squad and could make her first England appearance in that format since 2020.

Also Read: IND vs NZ, T20I: Rain-hit Tie, IND wins the match 3-0

Heather Knight and Nat Sciver return to England squad for tour of West Indies

Winfield-Hill lost her central contract for the 2022-23 season and has not played for her country since March. When she was dismissed for 12 against West Indies during the 50-over World Cup in New Zealand. The T20 internationals will take on added importance as England prepare for February’s T20 World Cup in South Africa. The tournament they will be aiming to win for the first time since 2009.

The games against West Indies will be the first since Jon Lewis succeeded Lisa Keightley as head coach. With Keightley stepping down from the role after three years in charge.

England ODI squad

Heather Knight (captain), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Alice Davidson-Richards, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Emma Lamb, Nat Sciver, Danni Wyatt

England T20 squad

Heather Knight (captain), Lauren Bell, Katherine Brunt, Alice Capsey, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Nat Sciver, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt

Jonny Bairstow and Nat Sciver have been voted winners of the cinch Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) men’s and women’s Player of the Year awards. With Harry Brook and Freya Kemp being named as Young Players of the Year. Bairstow, who earlier this week was named by the Cricket Writers’ Club as the inaugural Bob Willis Trophy winner. Collected the trophy at the PCA’s annual awards dinner at Hurlingham Club in London, having been the outstanding player of a memorable season for England’s Test team.

He made 681 runs at 75.66, including four centuries, as England won six of their seven Tests against New Zealand, India and South Africa. However, he is currently out of action after suffering a badly broken leg during a freak golfing accident. “It’s a privilege to win the cinch PCA Men’s Player of the Year and when your colleagues vote for you it’s a real honour,” Bairstow said. “It’s so hard to pinpoint one individual moment but as a collective I was delighted to have contributed in most of the Tests.

Also Read: IND vs SA, ODI: SA dominates by 9 runs

Harry Brook, Freya Kemp scoop prestigious Young Player of Year awards

“Winning six out of seven Tests was a huge achievement for everyone,” he added. “After the last couple of years that we’ve had its great to be back on the winning side of it. I was really pleased with how the results turned out and how the group has grown and bonded together over the summer. It’s been a pleasure to be part of and hopefully I’ll be back with the squad soon.” Bairstow is the fourth England player in a row to claim the top PCA award. Which last season went to Joe Root and before him Chris Woakes.

Sciver, who also won the PCA Women’s Player of the Year award in 2017. The outstanding performer for club and country in 2022. A year that began with two centuries at the World Cup in New Zealand. She followed that form up with a maiden Test hundred, 169 not out against South Africa at Taunton. And capped her season by being named the PCA’s MVP at the Hundred.

Sciver is currently taking a break from the game, having withdrawn from England’s series against India in September, for which she had initially been named as stand-in captain. “A massive thank you to everybody that voted for me to win. The cinch PCA Women’s Player of the Year, I am really honoured,” Sciver said. Has retained the Young Player Award that he picked up in 2021. Making him the first player to do so since Sir Alastair Cook in 2005 and 2006.