MUMBAI, India – Hayley Matthews produced yet another stellar all-around performance as the Mumbai Indians Women beat the Gujarat Giants yet again, to put themself in prime position to gain an automatic final berth in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) on Monday.
Matthews scored a brisk 27 from 22 balls at the top of the order as the Mumbai Indians posted 179 for six from their 20 overs, and then returned to take three wickets as the Giants were bowled out for 170 to give the home side a nine-run victory.
It was the sixth time in six matchups that the Mumbai Indians defeated the Giants in the WPL.
After being sent in to bat, Mumbai were led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who blasted 54 from 33 balls, Nat Sciver-Brunt made 38 and Amanjot Kaur hit 27 from 15 balls.
Deandra Dottin went wicketless in her four overs that went for 44 runs.
Matthews then took the key wickets of Giants’ captain Ashleigh Gardner for a duck, Simran Shaikh and Priya Mishra with her off spin to end with 3-38 from four overs.
Amelia Kerr took 3-34 while Shabnim Islmail finished with 2-17.
Dottin made just 10 from 11 balls before being bowled by Kerr.
The result means that if the Mumbai Indians win their final preliminary match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Tuesday, they will finish top of the table and book a direct spot in the WPL final.
However, if they lose, they will have to face the Giants in an Eliminator, with the winner playing the Delhi Capitals Women in the final.
CMC