Winning the toss and opting to bowl first in the Eliminator, the decision completely backfired for UP as Mumbai set a huge total of 182 for the loss of four wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Nat Sciver-Brunt top-cored for MI by storming 72 runs off 38 deliveries comprising nine fours and two sixes. Amelia Kerr (29) and Hayley Matthews (26) also added some crucial runs to their team’s total. Meanwhile, Sophie Ecclestone scalped two wickets for UPW.
In reply, UP failed terribly in the run chase and were bundled out for 110 in 17.4 overs. Although Kiran Navgire played a quickfire knock of 43 runs for her team, she failed to sail UP through. Issy Wong was the star performer for the Mumbai-based team as she took a hat-trick in the match and sent four opposition batters back to the pavilion.
The three wickets in a row came for Wong in the 13th over of the second innings when she first trapped dangerous Navgire on the second ball of the over and then, on the very next ball, cleaned up Simran Shaikh with a sensational cross-seam yorker. On the fourth ball, the English cricketer yet again went for a yorker and dismissed Ecclestone to create history. Soon after completing her hat-trick, Wong ran across the field in excitement and celebrated the feat with other MI teammates.
Here’s the video:
MI will now face Delhi Capitals (DC) in the final of WPL 2023, which will take place on Sunday (March 26) at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.
Source: WomenCricket.com
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