WPL 2026: Amy Jones Joins UP Warriorz as Injured Phoebe Litchfield Returns to Australia

In a significant development for WPL 2026, UP Warriorz have signed England wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones as a replacement for the injured Phoebe Litchfield, who has been forced to return home with a quad injury.

Litchfield's Impact Before Injury

Phoebe Litchfield's departure is a major blow for UP Warriorz. The Australian batter was in sensational form, emerging as the team's highest run-getter with 243 runs from six innings. Her tally placed her third among all run-scorers in the tournament, underlining just how crucial she was to UPW's batting lineup.

A Cricket Australia spokesperson confirmed that Litchfield has returned home to undergo rehabilitation ahead of the highly anticipated Australia vs India series, scheduled to begin on February 15.

Amy Jones: Experience and Credentials

To fill the void left by Litchfield, UP Warriorz have turned to England's Amy Jones, who went unsold at the WPL auction but has now been picked at her base price of INR 50 lakh.

Jones brings a wealth of international experience to the franchise:

• 125 T20Is for England
• 111 ODIs for England
• Extensive experience in the WBBL and The Hundred

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Recent Form in WBBL 2025-26

Jones arrives at UP Warriorz in good touch. During WBBL 2025-26, she was Melbourne Stars' second-highest run-getter, accumulating 234 runs in 11 matches at an impressive strike rate of 125.80. The Stars progressed to the Knockout stage before losing to Perth Scorchers in early December 2025—Jones' last competitive match before this signing.

UP Warriorz's Playoff Hopes Hang in the Balance

The timing of this replacement couldn't be more critical. UP Warriorz find themselves at the bottom of the WPL 2026 points table with the poorest net run-rate among all five teams.

Current Situation

UPW's last outing on January 22 ended in a disappointing 45-run loss to Gujarat Giants, further complicating their playoff aspirations.

Path to Qualification

For UP Warriorz to qualify for the playoffs, they must:

1. Win both remaining matches against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (January 30) and Delhi Capitals (February 1)
2. Significantly boost their net run-rate to leapfrog other contenders

What Amy Jones Brings to UP Warriorz

Jones' addition provides UP Warriorz with:

• Wicketkeeping expertise that adds flexibility to team combinations
• International big-match temperament from years of representing England
• T20 franchise experience across multiple leagues worldwide
• Recent match fitness from her WBBL campaign

Looking Ahead

With just two matches remaining, UP Warriorz face a must-win scenario. Amy Jones will need to hit the ground running when UPW take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday. The pressure will be immense, but Jones' vast experience could prove invaluable as the franchise fights to keep their playoff dreams alive.

The Australia vs India series starting February 15 means Litchfield's rehabilitation timeline is clearly prioritized around national duty—a reminder of the constant balancing act between franchise and international cricket in the modern game.