GRACE Harris produced a breathtaking display of powerhitting en route to a 40-ball 85 to script Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s emphatic nine-wicket win over UP Warriorz in their Women’s Premier League match here on Monday. UP Warriorz had recovered admirably from a dramatic collapse to post 143-5, thanks to a superb rescue act by seasoned all-rounders Deandra Dottin and Deepti Sharma.

 

Harris then smashed the fastest fifty of the season, racing to the landmark in just 22 balls before finishing with a scintillating knock that was studded with 10 fours and five sixes. The second successive victory lifted the former champions to the top of the standings. Skipper Smriti Mandhana played the perfect foil with an elegant unbeaten 47 from 32 balls, including nine boundaries, as the pair put on a 137-run stand to make it a no contest.

 

RCB chased down the target in just 12.1 overs, significantly boosting their net run rate. Chasing 144, Harris set the tone in a brutal powerplay assault that left UP Warriorz shell shocked. She tore into Deandra Dottin with a stunning exhibition of clean hitting, plundering 32 runs from one over that effectively decided the contest. Brief scores:UP Warriorz:143- 5 in 20 overs (Deepti Sharma 45, Deandra Dottin 40; Nadine de Klerk 2-28). Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 145-1 in 12.1 overs (Grace Harris 85, Smriti Mandhana not out 47).