England’s leading women cricketers will be able to prioritise the knockout stages of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2027 over international commitments, with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) allowing players to remain with their franchises even if it means missing T20Is against Sri Lanka, according to a report by Cricinfo’s Matt Roller.
The arrangement could affect England Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and other contracted WPL players, with the franchise competition’s closing stages overlapping England’s preparations for the inaugural Women’s T20 Champions Trophy in India.
WPL playoffs clash with England’s Sri Lanka tour
The WPL is scheduled from January 14 to February 7, 2027, while England’s three T20Is against Sri Lanka will take place in Pallekele on February 1, 3 and 5.
An ECB source told IANS: “If the England players are in the knockouts of the WPL, then they can continue to play for their respective WPL team due to the late-changing nature of the itinerary for the Champions Trophy.”
The Champions Trophy will follow in India from February 14 to 28, giving players involved in the WPL playoffs an opportunity to compete in high-pressure matches in the same country before the ICC tournament.
England will return to Sri Lanka for three ODIs in Dambulla on March 4, 6 and 8.
Which England players could be affected?
Sciver-Brunt has been retained by Mumbai Indians for WPL 2027, alongside Lauren Bell at Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sophie Ecclestone at UP Warriorz.
Sophia Dunkley and Kira Chathli are the only additional England players registered for the October 28 WPL auction in Kochi, with other players choosing not to enter.
The ECB source also addressed the decisions made by England players over their franchise participation.
“England could have five players at the next WPL. The decision of other players whether or not to enter the auction is a personal decision, and this is the choice they have made.”
No Sri Lankan players are currently affected by the scheduling overlap, although Captain Chamari Athapaththu and pacer Mithali Ayodhya have entered the auction.
Champions Trophy changes reshape England’s schedule
The inaugural Women’s T20 Champions Trophy was originally scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka during June and July 2027.
The ICC subsequently moved the competition to February and relocated it to India after withdrawing Sri Lanka’s hosting rights over government interference in cricket administration.
The revised calendar has created competing commitments for players involved in both international cricket and the WPL.
England have faced a similar situation before. During the 2024 WPL season, Sciver-Brunt, Ecclestone, Alice Capsey and Danni Wyatt-Hodge joined England’s tour of New Zealand late after completing their franchise commitments.
England also plans red-ball preparations ahead of Ashes
Alongside its white-ball schedule, England is preparing to intensify its focus on Test cricket ahead of the upcoming Women’s Ashes.
The team is planning a red-ball training camp in India in January, with selections expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.
Following England’s third ODI against Ireland in September, Head Coach Charlotte Edwards outlined plans for an extended period of red-ball preparation spanning the winter and the lead-up to the English summer.
Edwards also indicated that some players could be withdrawn from county cricket to participate in specialist training and competitive preparation matches.
The plans follow England’s 270-run Test defeat to India at Lord’s in July, with the Ashes scheduled for the middle of 2027.
