Jemimah Rodrigues to Miss Remainder of WBBL Season
Brisbane Heat grant request to stay in India after Mandhana wedding postponement
- Jemimah Rodrigues will not return to Brisbane Heat for rest of WBBL season
- She chose to remain in India after Smriti Mandhana’s wedding was postponed
- Heat CEO says player wellbeing comes first; sends wishes to Mandhana’s family
- Grace Harris returns as Heat prepare to face Sydney Sixers
GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 27th Nov: Brisbane Heat have confirmed that India’s batting star Jemimah Rodrigues will not return for the remainder of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) season, approving her request to stay in India following the postponement of teammate Smriti Mandhana’s wedding.
Rodrigues had flown home after the Heat’s game against the Hobart Hurricanes 10 days ago to participate in the celebrations. However, the wedding was called off after Mandhana’s father fell ill. The 24-year-old has decided to remain in India to support the family, a move the franchise said it “fully respects”.
Heat CEO Terry Svenson acknowledged that fans were disappointed, especially since Rodrigues was the club’s top international draft pick this year and in her second stint with the team. However, he stressed that her wellbeing was the foremost priority.
“It has obviously been a challenging time for Jemi, so while it is unfortunate that she will take no further part in the WBBL, we were more than willing to agree to her request to remain in India,” Svenson said in a statement. “The Heat club obviously wish her and Smriti Mandhana’s family all the best for the future.”
He added that Rodrigues had expressed her disappointment at not returning but conveyed her gratitude to the club and fans for their understanding. She remains in touch with teammates and has wished them success for the rest of the season.
Meanwhile, Brisbane Heat, still searching for their first win after a narrow last-ball loss to the Adelaide Strikers earlier in the week, now focus on Friday’s fixture against the Sydney Sixers at the Adelaide Oval. All-rounder Grace Harris, rested earlier for workload management, returns to the squad, replacing Lily Bassingthwaighte as the team looks to revive its campaign.
