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UP Warriorz Sign Chinelle Henry as Replacement for Alyssa Healy; RCB Ropes in Garth & Graham
Healy Opts Out, Henry Steps In for UP Warriorz
Ahead of the much-anticipated Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025, UP Warriorz have confirmed the signing of West Indies all-rounder Chinelle Henry as a replacement for their skipper Alyssa Healy, who has decided to skip this season to focus on her fitness.
Following Australia’s dominant Women’s Ashes 2024 whitewash, Healy announced that she would take a break from competitive cricket to ensure she is fully fit for the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 in India later this year.
Chinelle Henry’s Impact & Role in WPL 2025
Henry, a seasoned campaigner for the West Indies Women’s Cricket Team, has played 62 WT20Is, amassing 473 runs at a strike rate of 91.13 while also picking up 22 wickets with her medium-pace bowling. Her recent performances in the India vs West Indies T20I series in December 2023, where she bagged three wickets and scored 50 runs in just three games, showcase her all-round prowess.
She joins the UP Warriorz squad for INR 30 Lakhs, bringing both batting depth and bowling variety to the team. However, the franchise has yet to announce their new captain in Healy’s absence.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Strengthen Squad with Garth & Graham
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have made strategic moves ahead of WPL 2025 by signing Kim Garth and Heather Graham as replacements for Sophie Devine and Kate Cross, both of whom have withdrawn from the tournament due to personal reasons.
Sophie Devine & Kate Cross Withdraw from WPL 2025
Devine, a key figure in RCB’s previous campaigns, has decided to take an indefinite break from domestic cricket, ruling her out of this year’s WPL. Known for her explosive batting at the top, she played a memorable innings of 99 runs against Gujarat Giants in 2023.
Similarly, England’s Kate Cross, a reliable pacer, has also opted out, prompting RCB to strengthen their squad with two Australian players.
Who Are Kim Garth & Heather Graham?
Kim Garth – A Proven Performer
Garth, a former Irish cricketer who switched allegiance to Australia, has built an impressive career in international cricket. She has featured in 59 T20Is, scoring 764 runs and picking up 49 wickets. Having previously played for Gujarat Giants in WPL 2023, her experience in Indian conditions will be a key asset for RCB.
Heather Graham – The All-Round Option
Graham, another Australian recruit, is a versatile all-rounder who has played only five T20Is at the international level but has shown her prowess in domestic leagues. In the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2023, she took 13 wickets in 11 matches, proving her effectiveness as a wicket-taking bowler.
Both Garth and Graham have been signed by RCB for INR 30 Lakhs each, adding depth to the squad and bolstering their bowling options ahead of the new season.
The Bigger Picture – What These Changes Mean for WPL 2025
With UP Warriorz looking for a new captain and RCB making strategic replacements, WPL 2025 is set to be an exciting tournament with new dynamics in place. While UP Warriorz will rely on Chinelle Henry’s experience, RCB will be banking on the Australian duo of Garth and Graham to make an impact.
As the tournament approaches, fans are eager to see how these new additions will perform and influence their teams’ campaigns.
📌 Related Reading: Complete WPL 2025 Schedule & Team Updates
📌 Learn More About WPL 2025 Player Replacements here
