'Happy With The Underdog Tag': UP Warriorz Captain Alyssa Healy Ahead Of WPL 2024 Campaign Opener vs RCB

ABP Live had the opportunity to be part of a pre-match press conference addressed by Alyssa Heal and Jon Lewis ahead of UP Warriorz' WPL 2024 opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

Gujarat Giants captain Beth Mooney, UP Warriorz captain Alyssa Healy, Delhi Capitals captain Meg Lanning, Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Smriti Mandhana and Mumbai Indians captain Harmanpreet Kaur with the Women's Premier League 2024 trophy in Bengaluru. ( Image Source :PTI )

UP Warriorz captain Alyssa Healy captain said that she was happy with the 'underdog' tag associated with her side ahead of the team's Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024 campaign opener against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Healy along with coach Jon Lewis addressed a pre-match press conference on the eve of the match, talking about various aspects of the match and the season in general.

On Chamari Athapaththu

When responding to the late addition of Chamari Athapaththu into the squad after she was announced as replacement for Laura Bell, having previously been unsold at the Auction, Healy reckoned that the Sri Lankan's inclusion was a great addition to the squad. 

"I think it's a great signing for us. Obviously, having depth in our side with both bat and ball was obviously really important. And to add Chamari to that list of names that we've already got was a real great opportunity for us. It's going to be a difficult conversation for management as to who is playing the XI," she told the reporters.

She later confirmed that if indeed Athapaththu plays, they would have to make space for her in the top-order.

On Opening Combination

Healy hinted at the likely opening combination saying that it would be herself along with an Indian that will open the innings to begin with. However, she admitted that it would be a challenge to decide to settle in on a combination.

On Sophie Ecclestone's Recovery From Injury

Talking about all-rounder Sophie Ecclestone's recovery from injury, coach Jon Lewis confirmed that the English cricketer was fully fit to play. 

"She had a dislocated shoulder back in September (2023). She has been really well rehabed by our team back in the UK with the ECB. They have done a really good job and she is fully fit to play in December. No worries about Sophie's shoulder," the coach stated.

'Happy With The Underdog Tag,' Says Alyssa Healy

Meanwhile Healy said that she was really happy with the underdogs tag as they head into the season.

"We are happy with the underdog tag in particular and go and knock off some of these big franchises and show them what we can do," the Australian wicketkeeper-batter said.

The Warriorz had made it to the Playoffs in the inaugural season of the tourament but were knocked out by Mumbai Indians (MI) in the eliminator, the team that went on to win the title. They will play RCB in their opener in their first match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.