In a major blow to the UP Warriors’ fading playoff hopes in the Women’s Premier League 2026, star Australian batter Phoebe Litchfield has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament due to a quad injury. The team, languishing at the bottom of the points table with just two wins from six matches, now turns to England’s experienced wicketkeeper Amy Jones as her replacement.
Litchfield’s departure comes at the worst possible time. With only two league games left, UP Warriors desperately need victories to keep their slim postseason dreams alive. The 20-year-old prodigy had been the cornerstone of their batting lineup, smashing two half-centuries and accumulating 243 runs in her six outings. Her explosive strokeplay provided much-needed stability and firepower to an otherwise struggling top order.
Bought for a whopping 1.20 crore rupees at the WPL auction, Litchfield’s injury not only depletes the team’s batting resources but also hits their morale hard. She will now return to Australia for treatment and rehabilitation, aiming to regain fitness ahead of the upcoming series against India.
Stepping into her shoes is 32-year-old Amy Jones, who brings a wealth of T20 experience from 125 matches for England, where she has scored 1,666 runs including five fifties. Although yet to feature in the WPL, Jones’ dual skills as a batter and keeper could prove invaluable. UP Warriors officials confirmed the replacement, hoping Jones can fill the void and spark a late-season turnaround.
As the competition intensifies, the Warriors face mounting pressure. Can Jones deliver in her debut campaign, or will Litchfield’s absence prove fatal? Fans await the outcome of these crucial encounters.