Twitter erupts in appreciation as Kiran Navgire and Grace Harris guide the UP Warriorz to their first win in WPL 2024.
The power-packed duo of Kiran Navgire and Garce Harris powered UP Warriorz to their first victory, opening their account in terms of points on board in the ongoing 2nd edition of the WPL with a 7-wicket win over the defending champions Mumbai Indians.
“Captain Alyssa Healy credits batters for completing the assignment and bagging 2 crucial points.”
🗣️ Captain Alyssa Healy credits batters for completing the assignment and bagging 2 crucial points.#CricketTwitter #WPL2024 #MIvUPW pic.twitter.com/OrlrAW62sC
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) February 28, 2024
The UP Warriorz skipper Alyssa Healy won the toss and opted to field first against the defending champions Mumbai Indians led by the stand-in skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt. The regular skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and the former South African veteran pacer Shabnim Ismail missed out courtesy of a niggle. After being inserted to bat first, Mumbai Indians posted a competitive total of 161/6 on the board in their quota of overs courtesy of impressive performances from Hayley Matthews (55 off 47 balls), Yastika Bhatia (26 off 22 balls), and Amelia Kerr (23 off 16 balls) for Mumbai Indians.
All five UP Warriorz bowlers picked up a wicket each, however, Grace Harris (4-0-20-1) and Sophie Ecclestone (4-0-25-1) were the pick of the bowlers. Chasing a target of 162, Kiran Navgire was promoted to open the innings alongside skipper Alyssa Healy courtesy of an injury to Vrinda Dinesh which she suffered in the field while trying to save the boundary. The UP Warriorz eventually got over the line with 7 wickets in hand to claim their maiden victory in the 2nd edition. Kiran Navgire (57 off 31 balls), Grace Harris (38 off 17 balls), and Deepti Sharma (27 off 20 balls) were the top performers with the bat for the UP Warriorz. Kiran Navgire was awarded the Player of the Match for her match-winning performance (57 off 31 balls) with the bat, after being promoted to open the innings with skipper Alyssa Healy.
“Kiran Navgire 57(31)
You can’t be bad at cricket when your idol is MS Dhoni.”
Kiran Navgire 57(31) 🔥
You can't be bad at cricket when your idol is MS Dhoni. pic.twitter.com/AfOt7BCoBO
— ` (@rahulmsd_91) February 28, 2024
However, there were some positives for the Mumbai Indians as opening batter Hayley Matthews returned to form with the bat scoring her maiden half-century this season. Issy Wong who replaced Shabnim Ismail also had an impressive outing with the ball as she picked up the wickets of skipper Alyssa Healy and Tahlia McGrath.
“Runs for Hayley, Wickets for Izzy – we’re taking away a lot of positives from #MIvUP.”
𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐞𝐲, 𝐖𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐳𝐳𝐲 – we’re taking away a lot of positives from #MIvUPW. 💪#OneFamily #AaliRe #MumbaiIndians #TATAWPL pic.twitter.com/wxVsL2uNbF
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) February 29, 2024
Apart from the interesting battle on the field, there was one moment when a spectator intruded on the field of play surpassing the security guards and approaching the UP Warriorz skipper Alyssa Healy while she was keeping wickets in the 1st innings. However, she tackled it brilliantly, intercepting the intruder, and slowing him down until the security could come into action, a rare instance.
The pitch invader feels the wrath of Alyssa Healy during the WPL 2024 clash.
Alyssa Healy tackles the pitch-invader. 👊#CricketTwitter #WPL2024 #MIvUPW pic.twitter.com/OIhf6DPnUQ
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) February 28, 2024
