In the Eliminator of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2023, Mumbai Indians (MI) got the better of UP Warriorz and booked their spot in the tournament’s final.
Chasing the huge target of 183, the Warriorz never really got the desired momentum as they kept on losing wickets at regular intervals. UP were three down for 21 before Kiran Navgire and Grace Harris tried to calm things down by adding 35 runs for the fourth wicket.
After losing Harris, Navgire formed another crucial partnership of 28 runs for the fifth wicket with Deepti Sharma. Then came Issy Wong, who had already dismissed UP’s skipper Alyssa Healy. Wong completely destroyed the Warriorz, whatever left hopes, as she went on to take a hat-trick to ensure MI set up the summit clash with Delhi Capitals (DC). Eventually, UP got bundled out for 110, losing the contest by 72 runs.
Earlier, after being asked to bat, Mumbai went on to post a massive total of 182/4 in their assigned 20 overs, courtesy of Nat Sciver-Brunt’s splendid knock. The star all-rounder stayed unbeaten on 72 off just 38 deliveries, including 9 fours and 2 sixes to power MI to an enormous total.
Apart from the veteran English cricketer, Amelia Kerr (29), Hayley Matthews (26) and Yastika Bhatia (21) chipped in with valuable contributions. For UP, Sophie Ecclestone picked up two wickets for 39 runs in her quota of 4 overs.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
WWW – 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐀𝐓-𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐊 IN THE #WPL! 🔥#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #AaliRe #WPL2023 #MIvUPWpic.twitter.com/JxJ0kecQ6S
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 24, 2023
Nat Sciver-Brunt is such a gun: 72 not out off 38 balls in the WPL eliminator
— Matt Roller (@mroller98) March 24, 2023
First Indian captain to lead a team in IPL final: MS Dhoni.
First Indian captain to lead a team in WPL final: Harmanpreet Kaur.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 24, 2023
Issy Wong same style as Shardul thakur but 10x better lines. And she gets the second wohoo
— Archer (@poserarcher) March 24, 2023
Wada Wong Wong.. Wada Wong Wong.. Wada Wong.. pic.twitter.com/6VG6kPgZIM
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) March 24, 2023
Shining on the big stage. What an amazing innings from Nat Sciver Brunt in the Eliminator, an absolute elite knock. pic.twitter.com/V6tvYnbKcu
— Vishal. (@SPORTYVISHAL) March 24, 2023
What an amazing innings by Nat Sciver-Brunt – 72* (38) with 9 fours and 2 sixes. Under pressure against UP Warriorz with the Final's spot on line, she played a champion knock. pic.twitter.com/Tm2JAzsqrV
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 24, 2023
Brilliant innings from Nat Sciver-Brunt.
What an absolute rockstar 👏#UPWvMI pic.twitter.com/esQTfABEVC— VECTOR⁴⁵🕉️ (@Vector_45R) March 24, 2023
1st hat-trick of the WPL . Issy wong 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JSRSEUmlwc
— Bleed Blue #RoarMacha (@CricCrazyVeena) March 24, 2023
MI Women are through to the #WPL2023 final, where they'll face Delhi Capitals
What a performance from Nat Sciver-Brunt with 72* (38) & Issy Wong with 4-15
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) March 24, 2023