Half-centuries from Grace Harris and Tahlia McGrath powered UP Warriorz into the playoffs as they secured a three-wicket victory in a high-scoring thriller against Gujarat Giants at the Brabourne Stadium on Monday (March 20). UPW went past GG’s total off 178 off the penultimate ball, thus knocking out the Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the process.

Brief scores:

Gujarat Giants 178/6 in 20 overs (Ash Gardner 60, Dayalan Hemalatha 57; Parshavi Chopra 2-29) lost to UP Warriorz 181/7 in 19.5 overs (Grace Harris 72, Tahlia McGrath 57; Kim Garth 2-29) by 3 wickets.

Despite a strong resistance by Sri Lanka’s lower order, three wickets apiece by Tim Southee and Blair Tickner helped bundle out the visitors for 358 to help New Zealand clinch the second Test at the Basin Reserve in Wellington by an innings and 58 runs, on Monday. With the win, the hosts also sealed the two-match Test series 2-0.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka 164 (Dimuth Karunaratne 89; Matt Henry 3-44, Michael Bracewell 3-50) & 358 (Dhananjaya de Silva 98, Dinesh Chandimal 62; Tim Southee 3-51, Blair Tickner 3-84) lost to New Zealand 580/4 decl. (Kane Williamson 215, Henry Nicholls 200*; Kasun Rajitha 2-126) by an innings and 58 runs

Half-centuries by Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya De Silva notwithstanding, New Zealand maintained a dominant position at Lunch of Day 4 of the Basin Reserve Test, in Wellington. The hosts bagged three wickets in the morning session on Monday while Chandimal and Dhananjaya’s 126-run stand for the fifth wicket helped reduce the deficit to 167 as Sri Lanka attempted to revive their position in the contest.

Brief scores:(at lunch day 4)

Sri Lanka 164 (Dimuth Karunaratne 89; Matt Henry 3-44, Michael Bracewell 3-50) & 249/5 [f/o] (Dhananjaya de Silva 63*, Dinesh Chandimal 62; Blair Tickner 2-66) trail New Zealand 580/4 decl. (Kane Williamson 215, Henry Nicholls 200*; Kasun Rajitha 2-126) by 167 runs