Franchise Cricket

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England left-arm spinner Linsey Smith and opening batter Lauren Winfield-Hill have been signed as replacement players for the Women's Big Bash League.

Smith, who was part of England's T20 World Cup squad earlier in October, has signed for Melbourne Renegades for an unspecified amount of time.

Winfield-Hill returns to Brisbane Heat for the opening two games, having played for them in the inaugural campaign in 2015.

She is covering for Jemimah Rodrigues, who is playing for India in a white-ball series against New Zealand.

Smith's availability is likely to depend on whether she is part of England's squad to tour South Africa from 24 November.

Heat and Renegades both play as part of the triple-header that starts the tournament on Sunday, 27 October.

Listen to commentary of Adelaide Strikers v Brisbane Heat on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra from 02:30 GMT on 27 October.

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England captain Heather Knight will join up with her Big Bash side Sydney Thunder this week after her calf injury was deemed a minor issue.

Knight, 33, had to retire hurt during England's defeat by West Indies in the T20 World Cup and was not able to take the field in the run chase as her side exited the tournament.

She says she ruptured a tendon but it "won't keep her out for very long".

The Big Bash begins on Sunday 27 October and Knight will join the Thunder squad later this week.

England said Knight will "continue her return to play under the guidance of both Sydney Thunder and England medical teams".

She is expected to be fit for England's next action - the three format tour of South Africa which begins on 24 November.

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England white-ball captain Jos Buttler has signed a contract to play in the Abu Dhabi T10 for the first time.

Buttler, 34, has agreed to play for 2022 winners Deccan Gladiators and is among 21 English players to have been signed for the eighth season of the tournament so far.

There will be 10 teams in an expanded tournament, which is due to run from 21 November to 2 December, shortly after England's tour of the West Indies concludes.

Other international stars signed up include Afghanistan's Rashid Khan, South Africa's Anrich Nortje, Australia's Marcus Stoinis and West Indies' Andre Russell and Nicholas Pooran.

New York Strikers, whose roster includes Sunil Narine and Kieron Pollard, are the defending champions.

England players signed for T10 League

Ajman Bolts: Alex Hales & Ravi Bopara

Bangla Tigers: Liam Livingstone & David Payne

Chennai Brave Jaguars: Dan Lawrence

Deccan Gladiators: Jos Buttler, Luke Wood, Tom Kohler-Cadmore & Richard Gleeson

Delhi Bulls: Tom Banton & James Vince

Morrisville Samp Army: Will Jacks, David Willey & Jack Taylor

New York Strikers: Reece Topley

Northern Warriors: Saqib Mahmood

Team Abu Dhabi: Jonny Bairstow & Phil Salt

UP Nawabs: Adil Rashid, Dawid Malan & Tymal Mills

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The Decision Review System (DRS) will be available in 77% of matches in the Women's Big Bash this year, up from 41%.

In total, 33 of the 43 matches will have the technology available - an increase from 24 of 59 in 2023.

There will be a TV umpire in every match - to review runs out, stumpings and fair catches - for the first time.

Cricket Australia's general manager Alistair Dobson said the increased technology was a "significant priority for players and umpires".

There will also be an innings timer, with sides having 73 minutes to bowl their overs or an extra fielder will be required to come into the 30-yard circle.

The Women's Big Bash starts on 27 October with a rematch between last year's finalists Adelaide Strikers and Brisbane Heat.

It finishes with the final on Sunday, 1 December.