The day of 4 March 2023 will be registered in the history of Indian Cricket as this is the day when the world witnessed the first-ever Premier League between the women’s teams in India. The Tata Women's Premier League 2023 (WPL) was kick-started with great enthusiasm. WPL is certainly a great start in promoting cricket among females in India.
The Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) planned to execute this initiative for a year but due to inconvenient circumstances, it was delayed. In 2022, the administration finally geared up and released a report citing favorable chances of the Women's Premier League.
For the league, 5 franchises were finalized and subsequently, the player auction was planned. Out of which 3 existing franchises namely, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, and Royal Challengers Bangalore of Indian Premier League (IPL) bought the rights and auctioned them for their team members. The remaining two franchises were bought by the Adani Group and Capri Global Holdings, naming the teams Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz respectively.
The players for respective teams were to be selected from both India and Overseas cricketers. While keeping the Indian women cricketers in the spotlight, WPL also gives international players a chance to showcase their talent. International cricketers were in high demand during the auction owing to their leadership and sporting skills. Some of the greatest players from Australia and South Africa were bought by the franchises.
As the WPL tournament is in full swing, international cricketers have indeed been proving themselves through their game on the field. Let's have a look at some of the top international players who have been enthralling audiences with their smashing performances in WPL.
Meg Lanning, Delhi Capitals
Australian cricketer Meghann Moira Lanning AM is currently the captain of the Australian National Women's Team. She is the successful champion of five ICC Women's World Twenty20 titles and two Women's Cricket World Cups. She has a record of 2,000 runs in a Twenty20 international match.
In WPL 2023, she is the captain of the Delhi Capitals. She made a record of 70 runs in 42 balls with 10 fours and 3 sixes and is the top performer for team DC so far. She is also currently at the top of the Orange Cap table in the tournament.
Jess Jonassen, Delhi Capitals
Jessica Louise Jonassen is a female cricketer from Australia. She plays all-rounder left-arm orthodox bowling. Jess joined the National Women's Team in 2012 and has become the winner of four ICC T20 World Cups. She is ranked as the fourth female cricketer to take 100 wickets for the Australian team in one-day internationals.
Jess is currently performing for the Indian team Delhi Capitals in WPL 2023, where she grabbed the title of 'Player of the Match' for her splendid all-rounder performance. She smashed 42* runs in 20 balls and took a 3-wicket haul.
Hayley Matthews, Mumbai Indians
Hayley Kristen Matthews is an all-rounder who bats right-handed and bowls right-arm off-break. She represents West Indies in international cricket. Hayley has great enthusiasm for the javelin and has collected many world records. She has played for many international teams like Loughborough Lightning, Lancashire Thunder, Southern Viper's, Tasmania, etc.
Currently, she is playing for Mumbai Indians in WPL 2023. She became the 'Player of the Match' for her all-rounder performance. She took 3 consecutive wickets of her opponent team Royal Challengers Bangalore and made a match-winning 77* run in 38 balls.
Tara Norris, Delhi Capitals
American star female cricketer, Tara Gabriella Norris is currently playing for the franchise Delhi Capitals in the Indian tournament Women's Premier League 2023. She is a left-arm medium bowler who plays for Sussex, North West Thunder, and Southern Brave. Tara played for the United States women's national cricket team at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup America's Qualifier in 2021. She holds the position of second-highest wicket-taker, grabbing 12 scalps at a strike rate of 17.91 with her left arm swinger when she was in Southern Viper's and paved her way to Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.
Besides her home team achievements, she is showcasing her talents in the Indian fields as well. She bagged the title of 'Player of the Match award for her splendid 5 wicket haul at the second match of Tata WPL 2023 which was RCB vs DC. It was also the first game of the doubleheader day.
Grace Harris, UP Warriorz
Australian female cricketer, Grace Margaret Harris is an all-rounder who is a right-handed batter and a right-arm off-break bowler. She plays for some of the leading teams including, Australia Under-21s Women, Brisbane Heat Women, Australia Flag, Australia Women, Queensland Women team, Melbourne Renegades Women, and Sapphires Team.
Currently, she is playing for the Indian women's franchise, UP Warriorz. She achieved the title of 'Player of the Match' for her performance. She scored a match-winning 59* with just 26 balls.
Kim Garth, Gujarat Giants
Kimberley Jennifer Garth often referred to as Kim Garth is an all-rounder player who belongs to an Irish-Australian family. She is a right-handed batter and bowls right-arm medium. Kim currently represents Victoria, Melbourne Stars, and Australia. She played more than 100 international cricket for the Ireland team before moving to the Australian team.
Apart from this, Kim is currently playing for the Indian Women's tournament, WPL 2023. She is playing for the franchise Gujarat Giants and gave a splendid performance by taking 5 consecutive wickets over her opponent team UP Warriorz.
