The Mumbai Indians have qualified for the inaugural Women’s Premier League final after defeating Alyssa Healy’s UP Warriorz in the Eliminator on Saturday morning AEDT.
An explosive half-century from England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt and a hat-trick for quick Issy Wing, the first in the competition’s history, helped set up Mumbai’s thumping 72-run victory at DY Patil Stadium.
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They will face Meg Lanning’s Delhi Capitals in the sold-out final at Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium on Monday morning, while Healy, Grace Harris and Tahlia McGrath return home empty-handed.
After the Warriorz won the toss and elected to field first, Sciver-Brunt smacked an unbeaten 72 (38) to help Mumbai register 4-182 from its 20 overs. The 30-year-old, who was sold for a whopping AU$558,000 in last month’s WPL Auction, plundered nine boundaries and two sixes, combining with New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr for a 60-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
England spinner Sophie Ecclestone, No. 1 on the ICC Women’s T20I bowling rankings, snared two crucial wickets, including Mumbai captain Harmanpreet Kaur, but dropped a regulation chance when Sciver-Brunt was on 6, which proved costly.
“It was very enjoyable bating out there, I surprised myself with a few shots actually,” Sciver-Brunt said.
“I have said thank you (to Ecclestone) for dropping me. She would usually take those, luck of the draw fortunately.”
In response, the Warriorz quickly crumbled to 3-21 in the fifth over as Healy (11 of six balls) and McGrath (7 off six balls) fell cheaply during the Powerplay, with the latter run out while trying to pinch a quick single.
Harris, one of the competition’s most consistent batters, became Sciver-Brunt’s lone victim of the evening after scooping a regulation catch towards long-on, departing for 14 (12).
Wong then steamed through the Warriorz’s middle order with a hat-trick, putting the final result beyond doubt – Kiran Navgire was caught at deep mid-wicket for 43 (27) before the 20-year-old seamer knocked over Simran Shaikh and Ecclestone, both bowled for golden ducks.
“Under lights, it swung,” Wong said.
“We knew if we look after the ball, then we can get it to swing. I was just trying to hit the stumps.”
The Warriorz were ultimately bowled out for 110 in the 18th over – Wong finished with 4-15 from four overs while Indian spinner Saika Ishaque contributed two wickets.
“The crowd was incredible tonight,” Sciver-Brunt said after the victory.
“The noise when Wongy took the hat-trick was incredible, if we could bottle that energy up and take it (into the final), it would be great.”
The WPL final between the Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians gets underway on Monday morning at 1am AEDT.