Gujarat Giants have suffered a blow ahead of the inaugural WPL, with Deandra Dottin, the star West Indian allrounder, ruled out of the tournament because she is "recovering from a medical situation". Giants have named Kim Garth, the Australia allrounder, as replacement.
Giants had bought Dottin at the auction for INR 60 lakh (US$ 73,000 approx. at the time) after bidding started for her at a base price of INR 50 lakh.
Garth had gone unsold at the auction last month. At the time of the auction, she was with the Australia squad that won the T20 World Cup in South Africa. Garth only played two warm-up matches before the main World Cup, including one against her former side Ireland. She recently shifted to Australia after completing the necessary formalities and has even signed a three-year deal with Melbourne Stars in the WBBL. She joined the Giants squad on Friday.
Another lioness from Down Under, @kim_garth joins our pride! #WPL #GujaratGiants #AdaniSportsline #Adani pic.twitter.com/vd9z6Ssp0i
— Gujarat Giants (@GujaratGiants) March 3, 2023
Giants play the opening game of the WPL on Saturday night against Mumbai Indians at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. They will be led by Australia's Beth Mooney, who was the Player of the Match in the World Cup final for her unbeaten 74 off 53.