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Mithali Raj, the former India captain, has left her role as mentor of the Gujarat Giants (GG) ahead of the third edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) scheduled for February 2025. Raj, who served GG for the first two seasons, has now taken up a similar mentorship role at the Andhra Cricket Association, overseeing […]
Mithali Raj, the former India captain, has left her role as mentor of the Gujarat Giants (GG) ahead of the third edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) scheduled for February 2025. Raj, who served GG for the first two seasons, has now taken up a similar mentorship role at the Andhra Cricket Association, overseeing the state’s pathway structures and working with the senior team.
In addition, Nooshin Al Khadeer, the former India offspinner and GG’s assistant coach for the first two seasons, has also stepped down. Al Khadeer is now leading the India Under-19 women’s team, preparing for the second edition of the Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia early next year, where India will aim to defend their title.
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The Gujarat Giants (GG) have announced significant coaching changes just days before the WPL mini-auction, scheduled for December 15 in Bengaluru. ESPNcricinfo understands that these decisions were made prior to the start of the 2024-25 domestic season. Former South Australia batter Michael Klinger will remain the head coach, while Daniel Marsh and Pravin Tambe join the team as batting and bowling coaches, respectively.
Marsh, who played 150 first-class matches and served as Tasmania’s head coach from 2013-17, was appointed as assistant coach of the Australia women’s team in 2022. Tambe, known for his late IPL debut with Rajasthan Royals at 41, is currently the spin-bowling coach at Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL.
“We laid solid groundwork last season, and I’m excited to build on that with the talented players we have retained in the squad,” Klinger said in a statement. “Our focus remains on fostering a winning mindset, and pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve as a team.
“It is incredibly rewarding to see so many of our Gujarat Giants players representing India since last WPL season. This invaluable high-level experience will undoubtedly strengthen our squad for the upcoming season.”
Michael Klinger, who took over as Gujarat Giants (GG) head coach last year, has been appointed as the new head coach of Manchester Originals in the Women’s Hundred. He continues to serve as assistant coach for Sydney Thunder in the WBBL and as general manager for Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket.
Under Klinger’s leadership, GG, owned by Adani Sportsline, has struggled, finishing last in both the inaugural WPL season and the following edition. Heading into the December 15 auction with the largest purse of INR 4.4 crore, GG has made significant changes to their squad, releasing six players, including former captain Sneh Rana, Lea Tahuhu, and Veda Krishnamurthy, in an effort to rebuild for the 2025 season.
Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of South Africa’s ongoing T20I series against Pakistan due to a broken big toe, initially diagnosed as a contusion. Scans have confirmed a fracture, and Nortje will consult an orthopedic specialist to determine his recovery timeline. As a result, uncapped seamer Dayyaan Galiem has been added to the squad for the remaining two matches this Friday and Saturday.
Nortje, who last played in the Abu Dhabi T10 earlier this month, hasn’t featured in an international match since the T20 World Cup final in June. Although he was expected to be included in South Africa’s ODI plans for next year’s Champions Trophy, he is unlikely to be available for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Pakistan.
Gerald Coetzee – groin injury
Lungi Ngidi – hip injury
Nandre Burger – lower back stress fracture
Wiaan Mulder – finger fracture
Anrich Nortje – fractured toe
Anrich Nortje could see plenty of match time before the Champions Trophy squad is finalized, with the SA20 tournament starting on January 10, where he is signed to play for Pretoria Capitals. However, this is Nortje’s second injury setback in 15 months. After spending nine months sidelined due to a stress fracture from September 2023, he made a comeback at IPL 2024 and was South Africa’s highest wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup.
Nortje, who has opted out of a national contract with Cricket South Africa to manage his fitness post-injury, has also stepped away from red-ball cricket for the time being. He joins a growing list of South African bowlers with ongoing injuries, including Gerald Coetzee and Lungi Ngidi, who are out until January with groin and hip issues, respectively. Nandre Burger has been ruled out for the summer with a lower back stress fracture, while Wiaan Mulder is racing to be fit for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan.
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