WPL 2023: A look at the UP Warriorz squad
Australia's dashing wicketkeeper-batter Alyssa Healy will lead UP Warriorz in the inaugural edition of the Women's Premier League (WPL), starting March 4. Deepti Sharma will be her deputy in the tournament. Besides the duo, the UP-based franchise also bought the likes of Shabnim Ismail, Tahlia McGrath, and Sophie Ecclestone in the auction event. Here we decode UP's squad ahead of the inaugural tournament.
A look at the UP squad
UP spent Rs. 12 crore to buy 16 players at the bidding event. The tally comprises 10 Indian and six overseas signings. Squad: Sophie Ecclestone, Deepti Sharma, Tahlia McGrath, Shabnim Ismail, Alyssa Healy, Anjali Sarvani, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Shweta Sherawat, S Yashasri, Kiran Navgire, Grace Harris, Devika Vaidya, Lauren Bell, Laxmi Yadav, Parshavi Chopra, and Simran Shaikh.
Here are the key signings
Deepti was the second-most expensive Indian player at the auction, having bagged a deal of Rs. 2.6 crore. England spinner Sophie Ecclestone was bought at a price of Rs. 1.8 crore. UP signed Alyssa Healy for a steal, Rs. 70 lakh. Tahlia McGrath (Rs. 1.4 crore) and Shabnim Ismail (Rs. 1 crore) were the other major signings for UP.
Healy's numbers as captain
Australia's current designated vice-captain, Healy has led the Women in Yellow four times in WT20Is. Australia emerged winners thrice. She scored 93 runs while leading the team as her strike rate read 152.45. Healy has also captained Sydney Sixers in the Women's Big Bash League.
Here are the key batters
Healy has smoked 2,489 runs in 141 WT20Is at an average of 24.4. She is Australia's second-highest run-getter in the format. McGrath's average of 61.50 is the highest among batters with 400 or more runs in WT20Is. With 297 runs in seven games, Sehrawat was the highest run-getter in the 2023 Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup. Deepti owns 941 runs in 92 WT20Is.
Here are the key bowlers
Deepti is India's highest wicket-taker in WT20Is with 102 wickets (ER: 6.17). Ecclestone has claimed 97 wickets in just 70 WT20Is with her economy rate being 5.76. Ismail is the fourth-highest wicket-taker in WT20Is with 123 scalps in 113 outings (ER: 5.77). Gayakwad tallies 58 wickets in 55 appearances in the format (ER: 6.22).
WPL 2023: A look at the key details
The inaugural edition of the competition will see a total of 20 league matches being played. UP Warriorz will kick-start their campaign against Gujarat Giants on March 5. There will be two playoff matches - the Eliminator (on March 24) and the final (on March 26). The tournament will be played across two venues in Mumbai (DY Patil Stadium and Cricket Club of India).
