Nat Sciver-Brunt did the star turn with an all-round show.
| Photo Credit: SPORTZPICS/WPL
Mumbai Indians 5, Gujarat Giants 0.
The head-to-head record in the WPL became even more embarrassing for the Giants on Tuesday night. After bowling GG out for 120, MI posted a much needed win by five wickets, with 3.5 overs remaining.
It was Nat Sciver-Brunt’s second straight half-century (57, 39b, 11×4) that helped the Mumbai team chase down the modest target. After Harmanpreet Kaur fell cheaply, the fourth-wicket stand of 45 between the England all-rounder and Amelia Kerr (19, 20b) ensured MI would post its first victory of the season.
Earlier, it was MI’s superb bowling against GG’s inept batting. And it resulted in the lowest total yet in the third edition of the WPL. Playing in front of another big home crowd, the Giants batting never got going. Four batters were back in the dugout inthe first six overs. While the others were being undone by a mix of fine bowling and not so fine batting, Harleen Deol (32, 31b, 4×4) showed some character.
She was the only batter who could last at least 15 balls. Beth Mooney lasted just three: she chose to step out against Sciver-Brunt and gave a comfortable catch to backward point.
In the next over, Laura Wolvaardt found the safe hands of S. Sajana in the deep off Shabnim Ismail. The GG batters would continue to search for the fielders for the rest of the night and would succeed more often than not. D. Hemalatha nearly did not, but Kerr ran fast at deep mid-wicket to come up with a brilliant catch, off Hayley Matthews, who would scalp two more.
The Giants were soon dealt the biggest blow. Ashleigh Gardner, after her back-to-back fifties, was out for 10, Sajana catching her at deep mid-wicket to give Sciver-Brunt the second big wicket of the night.
Sciver-Brunt wasn’t done yet.
Published – February 18, 2025 11:26 pm IST
