Jemimah Rodrigues’ absence adds new twist to Brisbane Heat

As Jemimah joins India’s ODI squad, Lauren Winfield Hill steps in for Brisbane Heat’s first two games. The Heat face a challenging start with the return match against Adelaide Strikers, who defeated them in last year’s final.

Jemimah Rodrigues set to miss Brisbane Heat’s initial WBBL matches

Indian cricket star Jemimah Rodrigues will miss the first two matches for Brisbane Heat in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2024 due to her commitment to India’s ODI series against New Zealand. Rodrigues, known for her explosive batting, will be in Ahmedabad as part of the Indian team for the series against Sophie Devine’s New Zealand squad at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Stepping in for Rodrigues is England wicketkeeper-batter Lauren Winfield Hill, who has experience with the Heat from their inaugural WBBL season in 2015.

Rodrigues’ recent performance in the Women’s T20 World Cup drew attention, though India, captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, narrowly missed the semifinals. Her absence in the WBBL early games will undoubtedly test Brisbane Heat’s lineup, especially as they kick off the season with a rematch against the Adelaide Strikers.

Brisbane Heat’s opening clash: A rematch of last year’s final

The Heat will begin their 2024 WBBL campaign against the Adelaide Strikers on Sunday, October 27, at the Adelaide Oval. This game marks a rematch of last year’s WBBL final, where the Strikers edged past the Heat with a narrow three-run victory. In the previous face-off, the Strikers set a target of 126, successfully defending it by restricting the Heat to 122 for eight. Star leg-spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington won Player of the Match honors for her impressive bowling figures of 4-0-16-3, while Laura Wolvaardt and Bridget Patterson contributed with critical runs.

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The Adelaide Strikers, featuring Smriti Mandhana, now boast the Indian opener as part of their lineup. Mandhana, on her third WBBL franchise stint, previously represented Brisbane Heat and Sydney Thunder. Along with Mandhana and Rodrigues, four other Indian players—Deepti Sharma, Yastika Bhatia, Shikha Pandey, and Dayalan Hemalatha—will participate in this season’s WBBL, marking a strong Indian presence in the tournament.

Meanwhile, the Melbourne Renegades have signed England’s Linsey Smith as a left-arm spinner. Smith’s duration in the WBBL will depend on her potential selection for England’s upcoming tour of South Africa beginning November 24.