Grace Harris stars as UP Warriorz complete WPL playoff line-up

Australian batter Harris smashed 72 to end the tournament hopes of Gujarat Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore

Nick Friend | 20/03/2023 at 13:31

Mumbai: Gujarat Giants 178-6, UP Warriorz 181-7 - UP Warriorz win by three wickets

UP Warriorz sealed their place in the WPL playoffs by beating Gujarat Giants to end their hopes of progressing in the tournament's first year.

Grace Harris smashed 72 and Tahlia McGrath hit 11 fours in her 57 as Warriorz knocked out both Gujarat and Royal Challengers Bangalore, confirming their spot alongside Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals in the top three.

Giants gave themselves a chance of salvaging their chances in the competition by posting 178 for 6, with Ash Gardner (60) leading the way alongside Dayalan Hemalatha, who also made 57.

But UP's Australian engine room of Harris and McGrath ensured those earlier efforts were in vain as Gujarat's troubled month effectively came to an end, though they still have one match remaining.

They have been up against it ever since wicketkeeper-captain Beth Mooney suffered a tournament-ending knee injury in her franchise's opening game, with Sneh Rana taking the reins thereafter. By then, they had already lost Deandra Dottin in mysterious circumstances to a "medical situation" that Dottin herself has disputed.

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^{Ash Gardner hit 60 off 39 balls (Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)}

Kim Garth was called up in her place and Laura Wolvaardt replaced Mooney as they faced being the team most affected by big-name withdrawals.

Wolvaardt and Sophia Dunkley shared 41 in 4.1 overs after winning the toss and opting to bat on Monday, but they fell within an over of each other before Harleen Deol departed to the final ball of the powerplay to leave Gujarat 50 for 3.

But Hemalatha and Gardner put together an excellent stand worth 93 in 10.1 overs, though neither were there at the end as they failed to make the most of that platform, adding just 35 runs in the final four overs.

Warriorz also struggled in the powerplay, with Devika Vaidya, Alyssa Healy and Kiran Navgire all falling as they were reduced to 39 for 3 in the fifth over, but first McGrath and then Harris dragged UP out of the mire, knowing that a win would seal their spot. It was left to Sophie Ecclestone to sweep the winning runs with one ball to spare.