Nat Sciver-Brunt hits first WPL century as Mumbai beat RCB

Nat Sciver-Brunt scored the first-ever century in Women’s Premier League history as Mumbai Indians beat RCB by 15 runs. Richa Ghosh’s explosive 90 kept Bengaluru in the hunt, but Hayley Matthews’ all-round brilliance sealed Mumbai’s crucial win

Vadodara: Nat Sciver-Brunt (100 not out) hit the first-ever century in Women’s Premier League history in its fourth edition as dominant Mumbai Indians beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 15 runs, despite Richa Ghosh’s whirlwind 90, here on Monday.

In a must-win game to remain in contention for play-offs, defending champions Mumbai produced a near-perfect performance with the bat, piling up 199 for four.

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Despite making early inroads to leave RCB reeling at 35 for five inside the powerplay, MI bowlers struggled against Richa, who hammered 10 fours and six sixes to make 90 off 50 balls in her team’s 184 for nine.

RCB collected 43 runs in the last two overs, with India all-rounder Amanjot Kaur hit for three sixes in a row by Richa.

Hayley Matthews (56 and 3/10), who had earlier struck a vital half-century, jolted MI twice as she dismissed skipper Smriti Mandhana (6) and Georgia Voll (9) in the fourth over, and Radha Yadav (0) in her next.

Shabnim Ismail (2/25), who had struck first to remove Grace Harris (15), cleaned up Gautami Naik (1) for her second wicket and also took a sharp catch in the deep to help Matthews dismiss Radha.

With the win, Mumbai jumped to second spot with six points from seven matches. Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Giants are also on six points from six matches each but Mumbai have a better Net Run Rate.

Earlier, England’s Sciver-Brunt (100 not out) struck the first-ever century in WPL to fire Mumbai Indians to a formidable 199 for four.

Sciver-Brunt’s 57-ball unbeaten ton and Matthews’ 56 laid the foundation for a big total.

Matthews and Sciver-Brunt put on 131 runs off 73 balls for the second wicket in a whirlwind partnership, rotating strike well and unleashing a flurry of boundaries.

Matthews struck nine fours to make 56 off 39 balls, while Sciver-Brunt hammered 16 fours and one six for her 100 not out.

The pair came together early in the third over when Lauren Bell (2/21) trapped Sajeevan Sajana (7) in front of the wickets.

Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indians: 199 for 4 in 20 overs (Hayley Matthews 56, Nat Sciver-Brunt 100 not out; Lauren Bell 2/21)
beat
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 184 for 9 in 20 overs (Richa Ghosh 90 not out; Shabnim Ismail 2/25, Hayley Matthews 3/10)
by 15 runs.