Alyssa Healy-led UP Warriorz (UPW) registered a thrilling win against Gujarat Giants (GG) to book their place in the eliminator. They also knocked out Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) from the Women Premier League (WPL) 2023 title race. Grace Harris's 72, Tahlia McGrath's half-century and Sophie Ecclestone's cameo helped Warriorz pull off a tough run chase at Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai.
Chaotic powerplay overs
Warriorz' skipper attacked from the start in the run chase. She hit three boundaries but became Monica Patel's victim in the second over. In the third over, Kiran Navgire played a loose shot off Kim Garth and lost her wicket after scoring just a boundary. In the fifth over, Tahlia McGrath got a second chance as she got dropped. In the same over, Tanuja Kanwar managed to lure Devika Vaidya into coming down the track and got her stumped. McGrath made use of the final over of powerplay overs with three consecutive boundaries off Sneh Rana.
Game-changing partnership
Harris joined McGrath in the middle and the two formed a partnership. At halfway stage, Warriorz were 82/3. Harleen Deol's first over turned out to be an expensive one. Harris hit her for two sixes and a four to increase the scoring rate. In the next over, McGrath got to her half-century from 34 balls. But Ashleigh Gardner broke the partnership in the 14th over with the wicket of McGrath. The Australian batter scored 57 off 38 deliveries including 11 fours. In the next over, skipper Rana got the wicket of Deepti Sharma.
Harris’ dominance
In the last four overs, Warriorz needed 41 runs to win. Harris got to her half-century with a boundary. In the 18th over, Rana dropped a half chance at long-on as Sophie Ecclestone survived. Harrris followed it up with a six to rub salts on Giants' wounds. In the penultimate over, Ecclestone hit a boundary off Garth. Harris hit a six too to bring the equation to seven off eight deliveries. But Garth struck off the fifth delivery of 19th over. Harris got out after scoring 72 runs 41 deliveries including seven fours and four sixes.
Ecclestone gives finishing touch
In the final over, Rana took the responsibility to defend seven runs. One wicket of Simran Shaikh fell but Ecclestone ensured that Warriorz' reach home. She finished the game with a sweep for boundary and remained unbeaten for 19.
Wickets tumble
Earlier, Rana won the toss and opted to bat first. Giants got off to a good start in the powerplay overs with 41 runs in the first four overs. Anjali Sarvani got the breakthrough with the wicket of Laura Wolvaardt. The South African opener scored 17 runs from 13 deliveries. Rajeshwari Gayakward struck twice in the sixth over to push Giants on the back foot. Sophia Dunkley got out as she misjudged the length. The English batter scored 23 runs off 13 deliveries. In the same over, Harleen Deol danced down the wicket but could not get the power into the shot. She got caught inside the circle. After powerplay overs, Giants were 50/3.
Hemalatha-Gardner show
Gardner struggled to rotate the strike at first by Hemlatha made up for it. In the 10th over, she hit Gayakwad for a four and a six. At halfway stage, Giants were 79/3. In the 12th over, Ecclestone took a beating as Gardner broke through with two fours and a six. Hemalatha continued to hit big and got to her half-century with a six in the 16th over off Deepti's bowling. In the next over, Parshavi Chopra got the big wicket. Hemalatha got caught at long on. She scored 57 off 33 deliveries including six fours and three sixes.
Gardner took up the mantle to attack. In the 18th over, she got to her half-century and followed it up with a six off Deepti. She got out off the first ball of the penultimate over. She scored 60 runs from 39 deliveries including six fours and three sixes. After Gardner's wicket, Giants kept quiet. In the final over Ecclestone got rid of Ashwani Kumari. Giants managed to post 178/6.
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