UP Warriorz faced Gujarat Giants in the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai on March 5 to start their Campaign. Alyssa Healey led her team to battle with the wounded Giants who lost their first match on Saturday, the opener of WPL 2023 against Mumbai Indians. Beth Mooney is out as she sustained a heavy injury during the last match. Sneh Rana & co had the responsibility to prove everyone wrong after a devastating start at the inaugural edition of the Women's Premier League campaign. Gujarat Giants batted first & put up a decent total.
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WPL 2023: UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants
Gujarat skipper Sneh Rana won the toss & elected to bat first. The Giants got a decent start but Deepti Sharma & Ecclestone soon capitalized as they lost early wickets. Harleen Deol fought like a lone wolf as Ecclestone and Deepti Sharma were taking wickets. Sutherland & Sushma Verma lost their wickets early and put The Giants into so much trouble.
Harleen Deol made 46 runs in 32 deliveries with 7 boundaries. Anjali Sarvani gave the breakthrough and Gujarat Giants were in the mud. Ashleigh Gardner & Dayalan Hemalatha took the responsibility & thanks to their cameos, Gujarat reached 169 runs after the end of 20 overs.
Kim Garth started like a champion as she added the names of the top-order players to her wicket list. Skipper Alyssa Healy lost her wicket with only 7 runs scored while Tahila Mcgrath went to the camp with a golden duck.
Kiran Navgire fought back against the dominating bowling attack of the opposition and made 53 runs in 43 deliveries with 5 fours and 2 sixes. She tried to get her team back on track but she got no support from the other hand. Kim Garth took her wicket and completed her 5-for.
Grace Harris continued to fight for her team with big shots and made a match-winning half-century. Sophie Ecclestone complimented her and both started the fireworks for UP Warriorz. Harris (59 of 26 including 7 fours & 3 sixes) & Ecclestone (22 of 12) remained not out till the end & chased down the total from an impossible situation. UP Warriorz won registered the win in their very first game of the WPL 2023 season and Gujarat Giants lost 2 consecutive games.