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Comfortable win over RCB sends Mumbai top

cricket02 March 2024 17:20| © MWP
By:Brendon Atwell
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A comfortable seven-wicket victory over the Royal Challengers Bangalore Women at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday evening sent the Mumbai Indians Women top of the Women’s Premier League.

RCB struggled to a modest total of 131 for six after being sent in to bat first by captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, a total that could have been far worse had it not been for an unbeaten 44 from Australian Ellyse Perry and a late flurry from compatriot Georgia Wareham.

In reply, Mumbai eased to 133 for three with 29 balls to spare with New Zealander Amelia Kerr top-scoring with an unbeaten 40 from 24 balls.

Royal Challengers Bangalore never found their feet and were soon in deep trouble at 33 for three and 42 for four as their top-order floundered.

Smriti Mandhana was caught by Sciver-Brunt at extra-cover from the bowling of Issu Wong (3-0-20-1) for just nine.

Sophie Devine (9) was trapped in front by Saika Ishaque (2-0-9-1) while Sabbhineni Meghana was caught by Sathyamoorthy Keerthana at short fine-leg from the bowling of Sciver-Brunt (4-0-27-2) while Richa Ghosh was back in the pavilion for seven after just 10 balls.

Perry and Sophie Molineux (12) managed to add 29 from 23 balls for the fifth wicket but then Molineux was cleaned-up by Pooja Vastrakar (3-0-14-2).

However, Perry found some support in the form of Wareham (27), who struck three boundaries in 20 deliveries as the pair added 52 in 40 balls to give their side something to defend.

KERR TAKES MUMBAI HOME

Perry’s innings included five boundaries from 38 balls and was a valiant effort despite wickets falling all around her.

The defence of 131 was futile as Yastika Bhatia (31) and Hayley Matthews (26) laid a strong foundation with an opening stand of 45 from just 23 deliveries to get Mumbai on their way.

Bhatia, who struck four boundaries and two sixes from just 15 balls, edged Devine (2-0-16-1) behind to keeper Ghosh for the first breakthrough.

Matthews, who managed three boundaries and a six from 21 balls, added 24 for the second wicket with Sciver-Brunt (27) before popping Shreyanka Patil (2-0-15-1) to Mandhana at extra-cover.

Sciver-Brunt and Kerr then sent their side close to victory with a 49-run stand for the third wicket, from 35 balls before Wareham (2.1-18-1) had Sciver-Brunt caught by Molineux trying to attempt a reverse-sweep.

Kerr, who struck seven boundaries, took her team to victory, along with Vastrakar (8 not out) to see their team go top of the log.

RCB have now lost back-to-back matches and drop to fourth after four games while Mumbai have six points from four matches, two ahead of Delhi Capitals who play their game in hand against the winless Gujarat Giants on Sunday.

RCB next face UP Warriorz on Monday while Mumbai face-off against Delhi on Tuesday.

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