Star Australian opener Beth Mooney’s Women’s Premier League stint is over but she should be ready for an Ashes showdown with England later this year.
Mooney, who was snapped up for $350,000 by the Gujarat Giants for the inaugural edition of the tournament in India, picked up a calf injury in the first game last weekend.
After initial fears of a knee or Achilles issue, it was confirmed Mooney, who was captain of the Giants, had strained her calf.
She returned to training in the days after but her full period of rehabilitation is expected to take up six weeks so she has been sent home to start her preparation for the Ashes which begins with a Test match on the 22nd of June.
“I was really looking forward to the maiden WPL season with the Adani Gujarat Giants. But unfortunately, injuries are part and parcel of the sport and I am gutted to be missing the remainder of the season,” Mooney said via a statement.
“I will be keeping a close eye on the team‘s performance from afar and will be rooting for them every single day. And though I will be away from the field of play for the rest of the season, I am looking forward to coming back stronger, fitter and I will definitely be hungrier next season.”
With Mooney sidelined gun Australian all-rounder Ash Gardner, the highest paid international player in the WPL after earning a $558,000, finally earned her star billing taking 3-31 off her four overs to guide the Giants to a much needed win.
Gardner has been elevated to vice-captain in Mooney‘s absence and after starting the tournament with a golden duck, is finding the form which earned her a life-changing deal.
