WPL auction 2024: England's Kate Cross and Danni Wyatt join Royal Challengers Bangalore & UP Warriorz

Danni Wyatt struck 75 from 47 balls as England beat India in the first T20 on Wednesday

England's Danni Wyatt and Kate Cross earned their first Women's Premier League (WPL) deals for the 2024 edition in India.

Batter Wyatt was bought by UP Warriorz and seamer Cross by Royal Challengers Bangalore, both for around £30,000.

The pair went unsold in the auction for the inaugural WPL in March despite being in England's World Cup squad.

Scotland international Kathryn Bryce, who plays for English domestic side The Blaze, was picked by Gujarat Giants.

England players including wicketkeeper Amy Jones and batters Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier and Bess Heath were not picked up, with only six overseas slots available per team.

The WPL is a T20 franchise competition, a women's equivalent of the men's Indian Premier League, the biggest tournament of its kind in the world.

Cross is not part of England's T20 squad, who are currently in India for a three-match series, but is expected to feature in the Test match that follows.

Wyatt said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that she was "heartbroken" at going unsold in the first edition, but was rewarded for her fine form in 2023, including a half-century in England's opening T20 on Wednesday.

Warriorz, who also have England's Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Bell, are led by England head coach Jon Lewis.

Nat Sciver-Brunt, Issy Wong, Heather Knight and Ecclestone were among the players retained by their franchises from the 2023 edition.

All-rounder Sciver-Brunt and pace bowler Wong played starring roles for Mumbai Indians as they won the inaugural title. The franchise coached by former England legend Charlotte Edwards strengthened their ranks further by signing former South Africa fast bowler Shabnim Ismail for around £120,000.

Uncapped India fast bowler Kashvee Gautam, 20, and Australia all-rounder Annabel Sutherland were the most expensive players of the auction.

Both went for around £200,000 with Gautam joining Gujarat Giants, while Sutherland, 22, was bought by Delhi Capitals, after being released by Gujarat.

Australia batter Phoebe Litchfield also earned her first deal, worth approximately £100,000, to the Giants, and international team-mate Georgia Wareham went to Royal Challengers Bangalore for around £40,000.

Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, who was recently named player of the tournament in Australia's Women's Big Bash League, surprisingly went unsold as did former West Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin and Australia leg-spinners Amanda-Jade Wellington and Alana King.

England batter Sophia Dunkley played for Gujarat Giants in the inaugural tournament but did not put her name in the auction for 2024.

The dates for the 2024 tournament are still unknown, but it is expected to take place in March, before the men's tournament.