Laura Wolvaardt replaces injured Beth Mooney Joins Gujarat Giants for the Remainder of WPL
South African opener, Laura Wolvaardt has been signed up by Adani-owned Gujarat Giants as a replacement for the injured Beth Mooney for the remainder of the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
Australian player Beth Mooney, the designated captain at Giants, suffered a calf injury during their tournament opener against Mumbai Indians.
Wolvaardt, who was in Pakistan playing in the PCB’s Women’s League exhibition matches, has been released by her team Super Women, and her compatriot Sune Luus has replaced her for the tournament.
As for the leadership at the Giants set-up in the WPL, original vice-captain Sneh Rana has been elevated to captain while Australia allrounder Ashleigh Gardner is the new vice-captain.
‘Excited to be joining Gujarat Giants…’: Laura Wolvaardt on opportunity to play WPL
Sharing her feelings, Wolvaardt said that she is excited to join Gujarat Giants in the inaugural WPL. She added that it is an ‘incredible opportunity’ to play in the WPL, and is looking forward to meeting the team.
On the other hand, Mooney said that she was looking forward to playing in the WPL but injuries are part and parcel of the game. She added that she is ‘gutted’ to miss the season and will root for the team. Mooney also said that she will come back with more hunger next season.
Deol, Dunkley Brings Giants their first Win
Gujarat Giants recorded their first-ever victory in the inaugural Women’s Premier League as they beat Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by 11 runs at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday.
The Gujarat side had lost their first two matches of the competition, while for RCB, this was their third defeat on the trot.
The Giants rode half-centuries from Sophia Dunkley (65 off 28 balls) and Harleen Deol (67 off 45 balls) to post a big total of 201/7.
Australia off-spinner Ashleigh Gardner shone with the ball for the Giants, striking thrice and giving away only 31 off her four overs. Medium-pacer Annabel Sutherland (2/56) was expensive but picked up two wickets, including the key one of Devine when she was very well set and looking to explode in the closing overs.
Gujarat Giants Squad (updated):
Sneh Rana (c), Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Laura Wolvaardt, Sophia Dunkley, Annabel Sutherland, Harleen Deol, Kim Garth, Sabbineni Meghana, Georgia Wareham, Mansi Joshi, Dayalan Hemalatha, Monica Patel, Tanuja Kanwer, Sushma Verma (wk), Hurley Gala, Ashwani Kumari, Parunika Sisodia and Shabnam Shakil.
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