A fine half-century from Hayley Matthews and a stellar five-wicket haul from Amelia Kerr were the key highlights as Mumbai Indians (MI) cruised to a six-wicket victory over UP Warriorz in their Women’s Premier League (WPL) clash in Lucknow on Thursday.
With this win, the defending champions MI climbed to second place in the standings, boasting four wins and two losses for a total of eight points, boosting their playoff qualification prospects.
After winning the toss, MI opted to field. UP Warriorz openers Grace Harris and Georgia Voll gave the hosts a strong start, forming a 74-run partnership in just eight overs. Matthews claimed the important wicket of Grace for 28 off 25 balls, which included three boundaries and a six.
Voll, meanwhile, powered her way to a fifty off just 29 balls, hitting 11 boundaries along the way. However, Amelia Kerr then took control, dismissing Kiran Navgire for a duck. Nat Sciver-Brunt followed up by removing Voll for 55 off 33 balls, which included 12 boundaries, leaving UPW at 90/3 in 10.2 overs.
Despite a brief resurgence led by captain Deepti Sharma (27 off 25 balls) and Dinesh Vrinda (10), Kerr struck again, wreaking havoc in the middle order. UPW was reduced to 125/7 in 17 overs, with Sophie Ecclestone’s late cameo of 16 runs helping them post a total of 150/9 in their 20 overs. Kerr finished with remarkable figures of 5/38, while Matthews added two wickets to her tally. Nat Sciver-Brunt and Parunika Sisodia chipped in with a wicket each.
In pursuit of the 151-run target, Chinelle Henry provided a momentary breakthrough for UPW by dismissing Kerr for 10, leaving MI at 24/1 in the third over. However, a match-defining 92-run partnership between Matthews and Sciver-Brunt swung the game decisively in MI’s favor. Sciver-Brunt contributed a brisk 37 off 23 balls, hitting seven boundaries, while Matthews anchored the innings with a powerful 68 off 46 balls, laced with eight boundaries and two sixes.
Despite a late scare when Grace Harris dismissed Sciver-Brunt and Matthews in quick succession, leaving MI at 137/4 in 16.3 overs, Amanjot Kaur (12*) and Yastika Bhatia (10*) steered MI home with nine balls and six wickets to spare.
This defeat significantly dents UP Warriorz’s playoff hopes, while Mumbai Indians further solidify their chances of progressing.
Next, the already-qualified Delhi Capitals will face the resurgent Gujarat Giants in a top-of-the-table clash on Friday. With the tournament heading towards its grand finale on March 15, fan excitement continues to build as the WPL action intensifies.
(With ANI inputs)
