Sciver-Brunt shines as Mumbai Indians thrash UP Warriorz to boost WPL knockouts qualification hopes

Mumbai Indians women recorded a dominant 42-run win against UP Warriorz to boost their standings in the Women’s Premier League 2024 on Thursday.

The star English all-rounder Natalie Sciver-Brunt shone with both bat and ball to help MI defend 160 runs at New Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Entering the game after a disappointing defeat against Delhi, Harmanpreet Kaur’s women dominated in every department to register their fourth win in six games and also boosted to the second place in the points table. UP Warriorz suffered their fourth defeat of the season as their chances to secure knockout qualification took a big hit.

Harmanpreet won the toss and surprisingly elected to bat first with no changes to Mumbai’s playing eleven. UP Warriorz handed a maiden WPL cap to the young wicketkeeper batter Uma Chetry who replaced pacer Anjali Sarvani.

Sri Lankan legend Chamari Athapaththu gave the Warriorz a sensational start by removing Mumbai openers Hayley Matthews and Yastik Bhatia in the first four overs. But Mumbai made an excellent comeback through Sciver-Brunt’s 45 runs off just 31 balls and 33 from Harmanpreet.

Amelia Kerr ensured a fighting total by smashing 39 runs off just 23 balls. Athapaththu took two for 27 while Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Deepti Sharma and Saima Thakor picked one each for UP Warriorz.

Chasing a tough target, UP Warriorz struggled from the start and never found any rhythm to fight back. The South African speedster bowled a memorable spell by bowling out captain Alyssa Healy and conceding just six runs off her four overs.

Indian spinner Saika Ishaque took three wickets as UP Warriorz seemed clueless against MI’s bowling attack. The star Indian Deepti Sharma scored 53* off just 36 balls, scoring her fifty with a six on the last ball of the game, but didn’t get any support from her teammates.

UP Warriorz Playing XI: Alyssa Healy (c & wk), Kiran Navgire, Chamari Athapaththu, Grace Harris, Shweta Sehrawat, Deepti Sharma, Uma Chetry, Poonam Khemnar, Sophie Ecclestone, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Saima Thakor

Mumbai Indians Playing XI: Hayley Matthews, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Amelia Kerr, Pooja Vastrakar, Amanjot Kaur, S Sajana, Humaira Kazi, Shabnim Ismail, Saika Ishaque