Electing to bat first, RCB got off to a convincing start with their openers adding 39 runs for the first wicket. But after the dismissal of Sophie Devine (16), RCB kept on losing their batters at regular intervals and got bundled out at an average score of 155 in 18.4 overs.
Well, the turning point of RCB’s innings was the dismissal of Ellyse Perry, who was batting on 13 with a strike rate of 185.71. Perry fell victim to Humaira Kazi’s sensational direct hit into the stumps.
On the first ball of the 9th over, Perry attempted a cut towards the backward point off Saika Ishaque’s delivery. However, Nat Sciver-Brunt showcased a brilliant fielding effort and stopped the ball inside the third-yard circle.
The Australian all-rounder Perry charged up for a single but was sent back by Richa Ghosh at the other end. Between this, Humaira quickly collected the white leather and initiated a rocket arm throw towards the keeper’s end that eventually crashed into the stumps. Perry had to return to the pavilion as she was found well short of her crease.
Here’s the video:
Richa (28) eventually turned out to be the top scorer for the Smriti Mandhana-led side.
As far as the result of the match is concerned, Harmanpreet Kaur captained MI chased down the set target with ease and thrashed RCB by nine wickets. Hayley Matthews scored a fiery 77 off 38 balls for her team. Hayley had also picked three wickets for MI during the RCB’s first innings and was, therefore, adjudged ‘Player of the Match’ for her all-around performance.
While this was the second consecutive win for the Mumbai-based team in the inaugural WPL, RCB have lost both the games they played in the tournament so far.
Source: WomenCricket.com
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