Lucknow, (UNI) Amelia Kerr’s sensational five-wicket haul and Hayley Matthews’ explosive half-century powered Mumbai Indians to a commanding six-wicket victory over UP Warriorz in a Women’s Premier League (WPL) match at Bharat Ratna Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium here on Thursday.
Kerr starred with the ball, returning figures of 5/38 in her four-over spell, dismantling UP’s batting lineup. Hayley provided able support with 2/25, ensuring UP was restricted to 150 for 9 in 20 overs.
Georgia Voll was the standout batsman for UP, scoring a quickfire 55 off 33 balls, including 12 boundaries at a strike rate of 166.67. She reached her maiden WPL fifty in style, dispatching a full toss from Kerr wide of long-on in the 10th over.
Grace Harris added a vital 28 off 25 balls, giving UP early momentum before Matthews dismissed her in the eighth over.
However, UP lost wickets in quick succession, with Kiran Navgire falling for a duck to Kerr, while captain Deepti Sharma contributed 27 off 25 balls before being stumped by Yastika Bhatia. Vrinda Dinesh (10) and Sophie Ecclestone (16) provided brief resistance, but Kerr’s heroics ensured Mumbai Indians maintained control.
Chasing 151, Mumbai Indians got off to a solid start despite losing Kerr early for 10. Hayley then took charge with a blistering 68 off 46 balls, hammering two towering sixes—one off Chinelle Henry in the fourth over and another massive 72m hit against Kranti Goud in the 14th over. She reached her 35-ball fifty in style, guiding a cut shot between backward point and cover-point off Deepti Sharma in the 11th over.
Nat Sciver-Brunt played a crucial role, scoring a brisk 37 off 23 deliveries. She shared a 50-run partnership off just 28 balls with Hayley , the landmark coming with a well-timed pull behind square off Kranti Goud’s short delivery in the eighth over.
Though skipper Harmanpreet Kaur departed for 4, Amanjot Kaur (12*) and Yastika Bhatia (10*) ensured a comfortable chase as Mumbai reached the target in 18.3 overs.
Grace Harris was the pick of the bowlers for UP, finishing with figures of 2/11, while Chinelle Henry and Kranti Goud took a wicket apiece.
With this win, Mumbai climbed to second in the points table, while bottom-placed UP will look to regroup ahead of their next fixture.
