Hayley Matthews played a dual role in setting up Mumbai Indians’ emphatic nine-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Brabourne Stadium. She opened the bowling and picked 3-28, and opened the batting as well to score 77* off 38 balls to orchestrate MI’s second consecutive win in the Women’s Premier League. RCB, meanwhile, are yet to open their account after two games.
Kicking off proceedings with the ball, Matthews ran riot in the PowerPlay, bouncing back strongly from an 11-run opening over to pick two wickets in her second. Reintroduced into the attack for RCB captain Smriti Mandhana, she did exactly what was asked of her: flummox the senior batter with a loopy delivery. Mandhana sliced the inside-out loft to cover, losing her wicket to offspin again. Heather Knight was bowled next ball, duped by the turn. Matthews’ third scalp was a well-set Richa Ghosh (28 off 26), setting up RCB’s 155 all out.
Matthews would go on to add an unbeaten 114 for the second wicket with Nat Sciver-Brunt. The opening batter brought up a sizzling half-century off 26 balls, and went on to smash 13 fours and a six during the course of a whirlwind knock.
A wicket storm at the Brabourne for @mipaltan 🌪️
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