England’s top cricketers, including Sophie Ecclestone and Danni Wyatt, may take part in the Women’s Challenger Series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after the ECB expressed its willingness to issue No Objection Certificates (NOC), provided it is satisfied with the COVID-19 protocols.
According to ESPNcricinfo’s report, the ECB has no problem in allowing its players to participate in the women’s ‘Mini Indian Premier League’ (IPL). The tournament is to be held in United Arab Emirates (UAE) from November 4 to 9.
Although the Board of Cricket for Control in India (BCCI) has not officially confirmed the dates for this tournament of three teams. There is a possibility that the players will reach UAE in the second week of October and after the arrival, they will undergo a mandatory six days quarantine. T20’s number one bowler Ecclestone and Danni Wyatt also participated in this tournament in 2019, they are expected to get a place in the top draw.
Apart from this, other England players like Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Sophia Dunkley, Anya Shrubsole and Kate Cross can also play in the tournament.
Women’s cricket has come to a standstill in India due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the BCCI has also been criticized for this, although chairman Sourav Ganguly has consistently assured that there will be a tournament of three teams.
These three teams are Trailblazers, Velocity and Supernovas. The four-match tournament can be held in Sharjah or Dubai as Abu Dhabi has different rules regarding quarantine.
