WPL: Grace Harris takes UP Warriorz to playoffs, crushes Bangalore hopes
The exhilarating action continued in the Women’s Premier League. Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz went head-to-head against each other on Monday, March 20, at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. The game was extremely important in the context of the tournament. UP’s loss would’ve kept Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Giants in contention for reaching the knockouts.
The match began on a positive note for Gujarat as captain Rana won the toss and elected to bat first. Openers Sophia Dunkley and Laura Wolvaardt gave a terrific start to the team. They added 41 runs for the first wicket in 25 balls.
However, after a good start, they lost three wickets quickly and were restricted to 50/3 in the powerplay. Seeing their team in trouble, Dayalan Hemalatha and Ashleigh Gardner took the responsibility of taking the innings forward and added 93 runs for the fifth wicket in 61 balls. Courtesy of their respective half-centuries, Giants finished their innings at 178/6 in their allotted 20 overs.
For UP, Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Parshavi Chopra picked up two wickets each. In reply to Giants’ total, they got off to a horrible start. They lost captain Alyssa Healy in the second over itself. They further lost crucial wickets of Kiran Navgire and Devika Vaidya inside the powerplay. UP Warriorz were restricted to 39/3 after 4.5 overs.
Tahlia McGrath and Grace Harris rebuilt UP’s innings
Gujarat were breathing easy after putting UP under pressure with three early wickets. However, Tahlia McGrath and Grace Harris bailed their team out of trouble with their 78-run stand off 53 balls. McGrath was dismissed for 57 off 38 balls as Gujarat finally broke the partnership.
After losing McGrath, Harris continued the onslaught and brought her side to the brink of victory with her knock of 72 off 41 balls. However, her dismissal in the second last over brought another twist in the tale.
With seven needed from the last over, the game was heading towards a thrilling finish. Sophie Ecclestone’s calm head, in the end, took her team home on the penultimate ball of the match as UP won the match by three wickets and qualified for the knockout stage of the competition.
Updated WPL Points Table:
