Amelia Kerr disappointed with scheduling of Women's T20 Challenge

Amelia Kerr, New Zealand's teenage leg-spinning sensation, expressed disappointment about the clash of India's Women's T20 Challenge and Australia's Women's Big Bash League later this year. Kerr, one of the most promising young players on the international circuit, was part of the 2019 edition of the Women's T20 Challenge in Jaipur, but will miss out this year, having signed with Brisbane Heat for the WBBL.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India, on Sunday (August 2) announced that a three-team Women's T20 Challenge would be held in the United Arab Eirates during the playoff week of the men's Indian Premier League.

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“It is a shame it’s scheduled at the same time as the Big Bash, it was meant to be played earlier this year ,” Kerr told cricket.com.au on Wednesday (August 5). “Hopefully in the next year or so the women’s IPL can grow and cricketers will be able to play in that, the Big Bash and over in England as well.”

Maddy Green, Kerr's New Zealand and Brisbane Heat teammate, echoed her sentiments, saying it would be ideal to have two separate windows for both events in the future.

“We’ve seen the progression of women’s cricket since the WBBL has been in place and it would be great to see different windows open for the Hundred, the IPL and the WBBL,” New Zealand batter Green said, adding that players around the world want to be part of all of these tournaments.

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“Obviously it’s a challenge trying to find time considering what’s been going on with COVID-19 so it seems unfortunate this year that it’s a clash but hopefully next year separate windows open up for all three tournaments.”

While the announcement was welcomed by India's cricketers, several international players took to social media to express their disappointment at the scheduling. Australia wicket-keeper Alyssa Healy was most vocal in her criticism while former England players Charlotte Edwards and Lydia Greenway called for more collaboration between boards.