MI vs UPW Highlights: Lethal spell from Issy Wong (4/15), including a historic hat-trick and Nat Sciver-Brunt's unbeaten 38-balls 72 powered Mumbai Indians (MI) to a 72-run win in the Eliminator clash of the Women's Premier League (WPL 2023) against UP Warriorz on Friday. Mumbai Indians will now face Delhi Capitals in the WPL 2023 final on Sunday.
The match turned out to be a one-sided affair. Chasing 183 for the win on a batters-friendly track, all eyes were on Australian stars Alyssa Healy (11), McGrath (7) and Grace Harris (14) but the tro failed miserably. UPW were off to a horrible start with openers Shweta Sehrawat and Alyssa Healy losing their wickets within the first three overs. Tahila Mcgrath, who was in remarkable form throught the tournament, suffered a rare failure as he returned to the pavilion after getting run out for just three runs, while UP's another important player Grace Harris got out for 14 runs to put MI in complete control. Kiran Navigre (43 in 27 balls) was the lone fighter for UPW but her efforts went in vain.
Earlier, UP Warriorz skipper Alyssa Healy won the toss and invited Mumbai Indians to bat first. Mumbai were off to a slow start in the knockout clash as UP Warriorz bowlers bowled good line and length in the first half of the match. The first half of MI vs UPW WPL 2023 clash was dominated by spin bowlers, not allowing batters to get easy runs or notch up any big individual totals.
It was Nat Sciver-Brunt who saved the day for Mumbai, bringing out her brutal best when her team needed it the most. The star batter came up with much-needed impetus late in the innings and was supported well by Amelia Kerr (29 off 19 balls, 5x4s) as the duo stitched a solid 60 runs stand for the fourth wicket.
Having added 78 runs from overs 5-15, Mumbai Indians smacked 66 runs in the last five overs to put up a daunting 182/4 total against UP Warriorz in the Eliminator clash.
UP Warriorz (Playing XI): Alyssa Healy(w/c), Shweta Sehrawat, Simran Shaikh, Tahlia McGrath, Grace Harris, Kiran Navgire, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Anjali Sarvani, Parshavi Chopra, Soppadhandi Yashasri
Mumbai Indians Women (Playing XI): Hayley Matthews, Yastika Bhatia(w), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Melie Kerr, Pooja Vastrakar, Issy Wong, Amanjot Kaur, Humaira Kazi, Jintimani Kalita, Saika Ishaque