Hayley Matthews, West Indies’ star batter, was bought at the base price by the Mumbai franchise of the Women’s T20 League. Matthews has been a consistent performer for her side over the three games they have played in the league’s inaugural season so far. However, on Thursday, playing against another strong side, Delhi, she made headlines for her contribution with the ball.
Matthews completed a three-wicket haul as Mumbai bowled Delhi out for a score of 105. A game poised so equally with the two strongest sides of the league going against each other was made into a one-sided match, thanks to Mumbai’s exceptional bowling attack. Issy Wong, Saika Ishaque and Hayley Matthews spear-headed the bowling attack for Mumbai, returning with three wickets each. However, Hayley Matthews would certainly be the MVP as she contributes with both bat and bowl.
Mumbai need 106 to win their third consecutive game of the Women’s T20 League
Speaking of the game, Delhi won the toss and opted to bat first. However, Mumbai made a meal out of their invitation to use the ball first, as three bowlers returned with three-wicket hauls. The remaining wicket was taken by India’s star allrounder Pooja Vastrakar. Shafali Verma could not impress as she got out for just 2 runs off 6 deliveries. However, her opening partner and skipper, Meg Lanning, anchored the innings with a knock of 43 off 42 deliveries.
The captain aside, no other Delhi batter could get going. Jemimah Rodrigues did get a start knocking 25 off 18, courtesy of three boundaries. But, she could not build her side’s resurgence as a batting collapse followed after her dismissal. From 81/4, they lost six wickets for just 24 runs. Mumbai will now need 106 off 120 deliveries to win the game and establish a two-point lead at the top of the point table.
Here’s how fans reacted to Mumbai’s exceptional bowling:
they are not MVP
— KING KOHLI FAN 🇮🇳 (@im_sandiprajput) March 9, 2023
They have a big MVP Ambani umpire 😭😭😭
Our Lady Pollard
— Retired 🥀 (@Sense_Detected) March 9, 2023
Sasta, Sundar, Tikau
— Cricket Fan 07 (@Manas_pr_sharma) March 9, 2023
So As Expected Mumbai Indians Going to win the #WPL #TATAWPL 🤣🤣🤣
— Karnataka Thalapathy Fan's Club (@AbhishekCH9) March 9, 2023
But but MI bought umpires not talent 🥲
— Saurabh 🤍 (@Cricket_Gyaani_) March 9, 2023
MI winning whereas haarcb losing
— Tԋҽ Aʅρԋα 🐺 (@MR_Alpha_21) March 9, 2023
World is healing
MI 🤝🏻 WI Love.🤯 pic.twitter.com/GgoIDadZrp
— 🇮🇳ꪜ𝐢𝐧𝐨⁹⁶🚩 (@Vinod96s) March 9, 2023
Mumbai Indians don't beat teams, they bully them. pic.twitter.com/i09Fr3noNw
— 🕊 (@_Alone_1820) March 9, 2023