BENGALURU, India (CMC) – West Indies all-rounder Chinelle Henry's explosive performance led the UP Warriorz to their first win of the Women's Premier League (WPL), overcoming the Delhi Capitals by 33 runs on Saturday.
Coming to bat at a precarious moment for the Warriorz, who were struggling at 109 for seven, Henry turned the tide of the match with remarkable aggression, blasting an impressive 62 runs off just 23 balls. Her innings featured eight sixes and two fours, propelling her team to 177 for nine after their 20 overs.
Henry's swift half-century, reached off only 18 balls, matches the record for the fastest fifty in WPL history, which she now shares with Sophia Dunkley. This extraordinary display of hitting not only got the crowd on their feet but also breathed life back onto UP Warriorz's campaign after two initial losses.
Henry's entrance sent ripples of anticipation through the stands at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. “Obviously, I went to bat with my team in a little bit of trouble. I knew the task, I knew what I had to do,” she reflected after the match. “John [Lewis] just said to me, 'Do what you do and have fun.'” This freedom allowed her to embrace her natural style of play, which has earned her comparisons to the dynamic Andre Russell.
Speaking to ESPN Cricinfo, she stated, “When he hits it, it stays hit. So, you know, it’s just something I do.” Just like Russell, Henry thrives under pressure and possesses the confidence to take control of high-stakes situations—a quality evident during her match-winning knock.
Her devastating onslaught really began when she faced Arundhati Reddy, dispatching her for two consecutive sixes over deep midwicket, which quickly altered the match's momentum. Despite the resistant Delhi bowlers, Henry's fearless approach led to some iconic moments, particularly her impressive 24 runs off one over bowled by Shikha Pandey.
The Delhi Capitals struggled to respond effectively to Henry's fireworks. Pacer Jess Jonassen did her best by taking four wickets for 31 runs, yet the team's efforts fell short under the sheer weight of Henry's abilities.
Defending their target of 177, the UP bowlers put on an equally impressive performance with Grace Harris taking 4-15 and Kranti Goud at 4-25, bowling out the Capitals for 144. Jemimah Rodrigues was the top scorer for Delhi, contributing 56 runs but found little support from her teammates, with Shafali Verma's 24 runs being the only other noteworthy score on the day.
Henry's role as one of the key finishers for UP Warriorz was visible throughout her performance. “Most of the time, it’s just my strengths, which obviously, for the past two games, is what I’ve been doing well,” she pointed out, emphasizing her commitment to high-intensity training and confidence in her abilities.
Reflecting on her successful outing, she credited her preparation stating, “Obviously, most of the time they were bowling to my strengths, and it was just about backing my ability, backing my strengths. And tonight it paid off.” This self-belief is what allows Henry to capitalize on mistakes from the opposition, illustrated when Marizanne Kapp dropped her early on.
Looking forward, Henry's capacity to deliver explosive performances makes her invaluable to the Warriorz. With the WPL season underway, fans and analysts alike will be watching her closely, hoping to see more of her exceptional skills on display. Her determination to maintain her role as the team’s finisher shines through her words: “It doesn’t matter where they bowl, whatever the ball is doing, once it’s in the arc, I’m going to back my strengths, I’m going to back my ability, and I’m just going to smack it.”
Henry's palpable enthusiasm for the game echoes the sentiments of many around her, reminding everyone of the excitement and unpredictability of T20 cricket. The Warriorz will undoubtedly rely on Henry's match-winning capabilities as they advance through the WPL, paving the way for what might be her breakout season.