UP vs GG Women WPL 2023 Highlights: Grace Harris helps UP Warriorz beat Gujarat Giants by 3 wickets in a thriller

A stunning knock from Australian all-rounder Grace Harris (59 not out off 26 balls) powered UP Warriorz to an unlikely three-wicket victory over Gujarat Giants in a last-over thriller at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday. Chasing a challenging 170-run target, Warriorz were almost out of the hunt, tottering at 105 for 7 in the 16th over. It was then Harris was joined in the middle by Sophie Ecclestone (22* off 12) and the duo turned the match upside down with an unbeaten 70-run partnership in just 4.1 overs.

Right then, that is it from this game and also from Super Sunday. The action in the Women's T20 League continues on Monday, the 6th of March as Mumbai take on Bangalore at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. That game will begin at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT) but our build-up as usual will begin much sooner. Cheers!

Grace Harris (59* off 26 balls) is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for her sublime knock. Harris says that she started poorly and took her time to assess the conditions and she was glad that Sophie Ecclestone at the other end did well to stay with her. Adds that she got a bit angsty toward the end due to the DRS breaks but other than that she just wanted to go out and bat. Mentions that she loves batting with freedom and the coach supported her to just go out and express herself. Adds that Sophie is a clean striker and that is why she wans't under much pressure. Says that there was a bit of confusion as the DRS was down but it all worked out well.

Alyssa Healy, the captain of UP says that the credit goes to Grace Harris and the lower order. Adds that Grace is great and she just showed the world what she can do. She says that it is great to see the young players come in and perform well. She mentions their bowling and says that it was great as well. Ends by saying that it is a special win and they will celebrate this.

The Presentation ceremony...

The Gujarat skipper, Sneh Rana is down for a quick chat. Rana says that it was not the result they wanted but they will come back stronger. Adds that she likes to lead the team and she gave her best, and she is really proud of her team. She says that the dew played a major role in the game and it was difficult to grip the ball. Ends by saying that they will come back stronger in the next game.

Earlier in the game, Sneh Rana the stand-in skipper for Gujarat won the toss and opted to bat first and after a good start, they lost their way a bit in the middle overs. Harleen Deol though picked up the mantle and got away crucial boundaries to get their innings running. The likes of Ashleigh Gardner and Dayalan Hemalatha hit a few lusty blows at the backend to take the final score to 169 which was defendable. For UP, the spin-twins, Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone picked up a couple of wickets each and were economical as well. Coming to the chase, for a large part of it, Gujarat looked in control but Grace Harris played a blinder to turn the game on its head.

Gujarat went through all the emotions in this game and in the end, they will be even more hurt than they were after losing their first game because they had this one in the bag and they let it slip. Kim Garth was simply sensational up front picking up 3 wickets in her opening over itself and the other bowlers then made sure that the scoring rate was kept in check. Garth then came back in the middle phase to pick up a couple more wickets and put Gujarat in command with a five-wicket haul. It all went haywire towards the end as the likes of Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland and Garth herself conceded boundaries at an alarming rate and ended up losing the game.

UP didn't have the bests of starts as there was less cohesion between their openers, Alyssa Healy and Shweta Sehrawat. Soon they found themselves three down inside the Powerplay and needed a steady stand from somewhere. Kiran Navgire and Deepti Sharma did well to get the scoreboard going with the former injecting a bit of pace into the innings. Navgire went on to score a half-century but UP once again lost wickets in a hurry. It was then an unreal 70-run stand between Grace Harris and Sophie Ecclestone off just 26 balls in which the Aussie power-hitter smashed the opposition bowlers toward the end to get UP's campaign underway in some fashion.

Are you not entertained? Grace Harris pulls UP from deep within the trenches and seals a sensational comeback victory! It is only the third game of the tournament but what a memorable one this has been. Gujarat seemed to be cruising to a win but Grace Harris and Sophie Ecclestone had other ideas. There was drama in the final over but in the end, Gujarat suffered their second defeat on the trot.

It's all over! UP Warriorz (175/7 in 19.5 overs) beat Gujarat Giants (169/6) by three wickets in a thriller

FOUR! FIFTY! Grace Harris (53*) races to fifty off just 25 balls | UP 169/7 in 19.4 overs, need 1 off 2 balls

Annabel Sutherland to Grace Harris, SIX! Grace Harris you beauty! A low full toss, on off, Grace Harris shuffles across and flicks it over deep backward square leg for a maximum. UP have done it. They win by 3 wickets!

Annabel Sutherland to Grace Harris, MISFIELD AND FOUR! Fifty up for Grace Harris. Has this cost the game for Gujarat now? Fuller and outside off, Grace Harris slices it over covers. The fielder fumbles to stop it as the ball races away from the fence. 2 runs needed off the final delivery!

FOUR! Grace Harris (49*) smashes Annabel Sutherland straight down the ground for a four | UP 164/7 in 19.3 overs, need 6 off 3 balls

Annabel Sutherland to Grace Harris, WIDE! On a length and outside off, Grace Harris looks to slap it but misses. Grace Harris goes upstairs to check a possible wide ball now. The caught behind is checked as well but there is no spike on UltraEdge. The third umpire deems that the ball is just angling away from the tramline outside off and the on-field decision is overturned. 5 needed now off 3 balls.

Annabel Sutherland to Grace Harris, FOUR! What a knock this has been from Grace Harris. Fuller and on off, Grace Harris lofts it over mid off for a boundary. She moves to 49. Just 6 runs needed from 3 deliveries now!

Annabel Sutherland to Grace Harris, It is getting really nervy out there. A low full toss, on off, Grace Harris flicks it to deep mid-wicket. The fielder stops it well and throws it to the bowler's end. Sophie Ecclestone dropped her bat on the half way and it was a run-out chance but the bowler failed to grab the ball and the batters complete their two runs.

Right then, 12 needed now off 5 balls. Which way will this game go?

SIX! Grace Harris (43*) smokes Annabel Sutherland over deep mid-wicket for a six | UP 157/7 in 19.1 overs, need 13 off 5 balls

Annabel Sutherland to Grace Harris, Wide! Lands it wide outside off, Grace Harris looks to play at it but misses. There's a bit of halt in the play and the umpires are having a bit of discussion with the Gujarat skipper Sneh Rana. Grace Harris isn't pleased with the break in play and neither is Sophie Ecclestone. The stoppage is due to a review taken for a wide called and it is being checked for a long time. The third umpire concludes that the ball is just outside the tramline and the wide will be stay as it is.

Annabel Sutherland to Grace Harris, SIX! What a start to the over! On a length and outside off, Grace Harris picks it well and pulls it over deep mid-wicket as the ball sails into the stands. Pressure on Annabel Sutherland now!

Annabel Sutherland (3-0-17-1) to bowl the final over. Can she defend 18 runs?

Ashleigh Gardner to Grace Harris, Flatter one, on off, Grace Harris works it towards mid-wicket for one. 19 needed off the final over now!

SIX! Sophie Ecclestone (19* off 10) smokes Ashleigh Gardner over backward square leg for a big six | UP 147/7 in 18.3 overs, need 23 off 9 balls

Ashleigh Gardner to Sophie Ecclestone, A low full toss, on off, Sophie Ecclestone lofts it towards long on for one.

Ashleigh Gardner to Sophie Ecclestone, Bowls it on off, Sophie Ecclestone drills it towards long off for a brace. 

Ashleigh Gardner to Sophie Ecclestone, SIX! My oh my. Fuller and on middle, Sophie Ecclestone hangs back and flicks it over deep square leg for a maximum. 23 needed now!

Ashleigh Gardner to Sophie Ecclestone, Fuller again, outside off, Sophie Ecclestone drills it to long on. The fielder makes an excellent stop at the fence. They collect two.

Ashleigh Gardner to Sophie Ecclestone, Too full and on off, Sophie Ecclestone drills it to long on for a brace.

Ashleigh Gardner (3-0-20-0) to bowl the penultimate over of the chase.

Kim Garth to Sophie Ecclestone, Slower and on off, Sophie Ecclestone drills it towards long on for one. 33 needed now off 12 balls.

BOOM! 4,4,4 - Grace Harris (35* off 19) smashes back-to-back three fours off Kim Garth | UP 134/7 in 17.5 overs

Kim Garth to Grace Harris, A high full toss, Grace Harris pulls it towards deep square leg. The fielder Sophia Dunkley takes a catch but it won't count as the umpire signals this as a NO BALL. The batters cross for a run as well. Free hit coming up...

Kim Garth to Grace Harris, FOUR AGAIN! Cheeky from Grace Harris this time. Lands it on a length and on leg, Grace Harris shuffles across and scoops it over short fine leg for a boundary.

Kim Garth to Grace Harris, FOUR MORE! Grace Harris is in a different mood. Fuller and on off, Grace Harris drills it down the ground through long off for another boundary!

Kim Garth to Grace Harris, FOUR! Fine shot. Slower and some width to offer, Grace Harris picks it well and slaps it through point for a boundary.

SIX! Grace Harris (23*) smokes Tanuja Kanwar over deep mid-wicket for a big six | UP 117/7 in 17 overs, need 53 off 18 balls

Kim Garth to Sophie Ecclestone, Fuller and on off, Sophie Ecclestone eases it to short covers for one.

Kim Garth to Sophie Ecclestone, FOUR! On the charge. Fuller and on off, Sophie Ecclestone picks it well and heaves it over mid-wicket for a one-bounce boundary.

Tanuja Kanwer to Grace Harris, SIX! All the way. Another full toss, on off, Grace Harris moves forward and pulls it over mid-wicket for a biggie. UP needs more of these.

Tanuja Kanwer to Sophie Ecclestone, Full toss again, on middle, Sophie Ecclestone tucks it to mid-wicket for one.

Tanuja Kanwer to Grace Harris, A low full toss, on leg, Grace Harris drills it down to long on for one.

Tanuja Kanwer to Sophie Ecclestone, Lands it on off, Sophie Ecclestone works it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Tanuja Kanwer to Sophie Ecclestone, Bowls it fuller, keeps it outside off, Sophie Ecclestone taps it to the point fielder.

Tanuja Kanwer to Grace Harris, Too full, and on off, Grace Harris digs it to backward square leg for a single.

Annabel Sutherland to Grace Harris, Slightly shorter and on off, Grace Harris pulls it to square leg for one.