Mumbai Indians washed away the heartbreak of their opening-night loss with a performance of tactical authority at the WPL, thrashing Delhi Capitals by 50 runs.
With Hayley Matthews sidelined by injury, the onus fell on MI’s middle-order engine room. After an early wobble that saw Amelia Kerr fall for a duck and G Kamalini (16) struggle for fluency, Sciver-Brunt took charge.
She dismantled Chinelle Henry’s early spell, reaching a 32-ball fifty with a flurry of boundaries through the off-side.
Harmanpreet, initially circumspect, exploded in the death overs. The MI captain toyed with Jemimah Rodrigues’ field placements, launching Shree Charani for four consecutive boundaries in the final over. MI plundered 53 runs from the last four overs to set an imposing target of 196.
Carey’s Powerplay triple-strike Delhi’s chase was effectively over before it began. New recruit Nicola Carey produced a masterclass in seam movement, pegging back the off-stumps of both Shafali Verma and Laura Wolvaardt in the space of three deliveries. When Carey returned to remove Marizanne Kapp, DC were reeling at 33 for 4.
Chinelle Henry (56) provided a lone, defiant silver lining with a 31-ball fifty, but Amelia Kerr’s leg-spin (3-24) ensured the tail didn’t wag, wrapping up a comprehensive victory.
Gujarat Giants 207 for 4 (Gardner 65, Anushka 44) beat UP Warriorz 197 for 8 (Litchfield 78, Wareham 2-30) by 10 runs
Georgia Wareham produced an all-round masterclass to ensure Gujarat Giants began their campaign with a win in a 404-run thriller against UP Warriorz.
Anushka’s nimble footwork against Sophie Ecclestone was a highlight, while Gardner’s brutal assault on Kranti Gaud saw her reach fifty in just 30 balls.
Wareham then provided the “finishing kick,” launching former Giant Deandra Dottin for three sixes in the 19th over to propel the total past 200.
Litchfield’s lone hand Phoebe Litchfield threatened to pull off an audacious chase, smoking 78 off 40 balls with a dizzying array of reverse-sweeps and ramps.
However, Wareham’s interventions with the ball proved decisive. She accounted for the massive wickets of Meg Lanning and Harleen Deol, stalling the momentum just as the Warriorz looked set to cruise. Despite a late cameo from Asha Sobhana, the Giants held their nerve to secure the points. (ESPNcricinfo)
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