Perry, Sutherland Withdraw from WPL; Replacements Named

Australian all-rounders Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland have withdrawn from the upcoming Women's Premier League season due to personal reasons, prompting their franchises to announce replacements just weeks before the tournament begins on January 9.

The Women's Premier League governing body confirmed the withdrawals on Tuesday, affecting Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals. Perry, a 35-year-old Australian star and key figure in RCB's triumphant 2024 campaign, played a pivotal role in securing the title. She topped the run charts that year with 347 runs in nine innings at an average of 69.40 and took seven wickets, including a match-winning 35 not out in the final against Delhi Capitals. Across 25 WPL matches, Perry has amassed 972 runs at an average of 64.80, placing her second on the league's all-time run-scorers list.

Sutherland, another Australian all-rounder, was set to bolster Delhi Capitals but cited similar personal commitments for her absence. The league's release stated that both players informed their teams ahead of the fourth edition, scheduled from January 9 to February 5 in Navi Mumbai and Vadodara.

In response, Royal Challengers Bengaluru signed...