Gardner seals victory for Giants

Gujarat Giants kick-started their Women's Premier League (WPL) campaign as they chased down their first win of the season, securing a six-wicket win against UP Warriorz at the Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara on Sunday.

- Samreen Razzaqui

NEW DELHI:

GG needed to bounce back after their defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the season opener and an all-round performance led by skipper Ash Gardner got them through comfortably in the end.

Chasing 144, Gujarat faced early setbacks as opener Beth Mooney and Dayalan Hemalatha were dismissed for nought, Grace Harris (1/1) and Sophie Ecclestone (2/16) providing the early breakthroughs to leave them reeling at 2/2 in 1.3 overs.

However, Gujarat Giants' captain Ash Gardner led from the front with a valiant 32-ball 52 under pressure, having taken 2/39 after electing to bowl. Gardner stitched a 55-run partnership with Laura Wolvaardt (22) to stabilise the innings. Ecclestone picked up her second wicket, dismissing the South African batter for 22.

Tahlia McGrath (1/21) was unable to turn up with the bat earlier, but she compensated by picking the big wicket, dismissing her fellow Aussie Gardner. Although Wolvaardt and then Gardner departed, Deandra Dottin (33) and Harleen Deol (34) ensured there were no further hiccups, raising a 58-run fifth wicket stand to steer Gujarat to a well-deserved win by six wickets with 12 balls in hand.

GG opted to bowl and put Warriorz under pressure early on before managed to restrict them to a below-par total of 143 - the lowest score of the season so far.