UP Warriorz have announced the signing of England wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones as a replacement for injured Australian star Phoebe Litchfield for the remainder of the Women’s Premier League. The franchise confirmed the development on Wednesday, dealing a significant blow to their campaign at a decisive point in the tournament.
Litchfield, who has been UP Warriorz’s leading run-scorer this season, has been ruled out due to injury. The Australian batter has been one of the standout performers of the competition, amassing 243 runs in six matches and placing herself among the top run-getters of the current WPL season. Her absence leaves a major gap in the Warriorz batting line-up as the playoff race intensifies.
To fill that void, the Warriorz have turned to experience, securing Jones for a fee of Rs. 50 lakh. The 30-year-old brings a wealth of international exposure, having featured in 125 T20 Internationals for England and scoring 1,666 runs in the format. Known for her consistency at the top of the order and her reliability behind the stumps, Jones is expected to provide stability to a side searching for momentum.
The timing of the change is critical. UP Warriorz are entering a make-or-break phase of the tournament, with four teams firmly battling for the final two playoff spots. The Warriorz currently sit in a difficult position, having managed just two wins from six matches. Their challenge is further complicated by a poor net run rate of -0.769, which leaves little margin for error in the games ahead.
The Meg Lanning-led side will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals in their upcoming fixtures, matches that could define their season. With qualification still mathematically possible, the Warriorz will need not only victories but convincing ones to climb the standings and improve their net run rate.
Jones’ arrival adds experience and leadership at a time when composure will be vital. While replacing a player in Litchfield’s form is no easy task, the England international’s proven record in pressure situations could prove decisive. For UP Warriorz, the message is clear: the road to the playoffs remains open, but only bold performances — starting now — will keep their WPL hopes alive.
