In a disappointing turn of events, Sophie Ecclestone, the current world No.1 T20 bowler and a cricket sensation from England, is set to miss the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) due to a shoulder injury. The news comes as a blow not only to her team but to the entire cricket community eagerly anticipating her performance.
The unfortunate injury occurred during a routine net session, just before Manchester Originals’ final fixture at The Hundred Women 2023 against Southern Brave. Ecclestone, known for her exceptional spin skills, faced a shoulder dislocation that led to her hospitalization. Medical evaluations confirmed the extent of the injury, dashing hopes for her swift recovery.
Also READ: England star Sophie Ecclestone hospitalized following shoulder injury during warm-up session at The Hundred Women 2023
WBBL Dreams Deferred
Ecclestone had recently added her name to the inaugural draft of foreign players for the WBBL. Her participation was highly anticipated, given her remarkable track record and her status as a white ball bowling maestro. Regrettably, due to the untimely injury, Ecclestone has been forced to withdraw her name from the draft, leaving a void that will be hard to fill.
The news of Ecclestone’s absence comes as a major setback for the teams hoping to secure her expertise in the tournament. Her skills on the field and her consistent performance have made her a top priority for many teams. The absence of such a key player reshuffles team dynamics and strategy, making her recovery timeline a crucial concern.
Ecclestone’s absence will be acutely felt, especially considering her exceptional performance in the previous edition of the WBBL. Playing for Sydney Sixers, she played a pivotal role in propelling the team to the finals. Over the course of the tournament, she clinched an impressive tally of 20 wickets from 15 innings, maintaining an economy rate of 6.29. Her contributions were second only to Ashleigh Gardner, who secured 23 wickets.
Notably, Ecclestone was also not included in the England squad for the upcoming home series against Sri Lanka starting on August 31. The decision to rest her was made with the intention of managing her workload and ensuring her long-term fitness.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
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