Cricholic
UP Warriorz Fall Short Against Mumbai Indians
UP Warriorz endured another disappointing outing in their home leg as Mumbai Indians secured a dominant victory, successfully chasing down a 151-run target with nine balls to spare. This defeat significantly dents Warriorz’s chances of making the playoffs, but a bright spot in the match was the stellar performance of Georgia Voll, who recently joined as a replacement for Chamari Athapaththu.
Georgia Voll Shines Amidst UPW’s Batting Struggles
Voll, who had previously impressed during her national stint in India, made a strong impact in just her second Women’s Premier League (WPL) appearance. The Australian all-rounder smashed a 33-ball 55, featuring 12 boundaries, setting a promising foundation for UP Warriorz. However, the middle order lacked support, causing the team to stumble to a modest total of 150/9.
Reflecting on her performance, Voll expressed excitement about making an early impact. “The past few months have been surreal. Getting the call to replace Chamari was thrilling. I was actually in the middle of renovating my apartment, so my dad and brother had to take over while I flew in,” she joked.
After a disappointing debut, she felt pleased with her contribution in this match. “I couldn’t make an impact in the first game, so it was great to contribute today. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for the team.”
UPW’s Tactical Shift: Two Overseas Openers
For the first time this season, UP Warriorz opted for two overseas batters at the top. While the move initially appeared promising, Grace Harris struggled to find her rhythm, and the middle order collapsed under pressure. Voll, however, remains optimistic about the squad’s potential.
“The players are giving their best, and it’s just a matter of time before things click. We have a young squad, and these opportunities will only make them better,” she said. “Everyone is working hard, and I’m confident they’ll bounce back soon.”
Over-Rate Controversy: Harmanpreet Kaur’s Heated Exchange
A moment of controversy arose when Mumbai Indians received a penalty for a slow over-rate. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur engaged in a heated exchange with the umpire, and Sophie Ecclestone, attempting to intervene, also faced Kaur’s frustration.
Voll, who witnessed the incident, found it amusing. “I didn’t fully understand why Harman was upset. The rule is clear, and they were running seven minutes behind.”
Mumbai Indians’ Amelia Kerr provided further clarification. “I was just trying to calm things down. Harman and Sophie are both competitive players. The over-rate issue affected our fielding strategy, and we need to work on improving that as a team.”
Amelia Kerr’s Dual Impact: Five-Wicket Haul & Opening Experiment
Kerr played a pivotal role in dismantling UPW’s batting lineup, claiming a five-wicket haul. Later, she moved up to open the innings for Mumbai Indians for the first time in three seasons. Though she managed only 10 runs off 13 balls, the experiment could hint at a potential batting order shift.
“It was a great opportunity to open. I usually bat at three for New Zealand, so it felt familiar. We wanted to have a left-hander in the middle order. Let’s see how things shape up in the upcoming games,” she explained.
Despite Kerr’s early dismissal, Mumbai Indians comfortably chased down the target, further solidifying their stronghold in the WPL standings.
