Matthews unable to prevent MI defeat

Barbados and West Indies captain Hayley Matthews made an impact with the ball but failed with the bat as her Mumbai Indians crashed to an 11-run defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women’s Premier League on Tuesday.

Matthews picked up two for 37 from four overs of her off-spin as RCB posted 199 for three off their 20 overs, captain Smriti Mandhana top-scoring with 53 off 37 deliveries.

In reply, Mumbai Indians were limited to 188 for nine off their 20 overs, the right-handed Matthews getting a start with 19 off 16 balls with four fours.

The defeat left Mumbai level on 10 points with leaders Delhi Capitals but second based on net run rate.

RCB enjoyed a great start when Mandhana, who struck half-dozen fours and three sixes, put on 41 for the first wicket with Sabbhineni Meghana (26) and a further 59 for the second wicket with Ellyse Perry (49 not out).

Once Mandhana departed in the 12th over, Perry took over, punching five fours and a six in anchoring a 53-run, third wicket stand with Richa Ghosh (36) and then an unbroken 46-run, fourth wicket partnership with Georgia Wareham who blasted a 10-ball 31 not out.

Mumbai’s run chase was set back when Matthews, already with two fifties in the tournament, holed out to square leg off off-spinner Sneh Rana (3-26). And when Amelia Kerr followed for nine, Mumbai were stumbling at 38 for two at the start of the sixth over.

In-form Nat Sciver-Brunt then intervened, top-scoring with an impressive 69 off 35 balls with nine fours and two sixes, adding exactly 50 for the third wicket with captain Harmanpreet Kaur (20) and a further 51 for the fourth with Amanjot Kaur (17).

Once Sciver-Brunt fell in the 15th over, however, the chase fell away as Mumbai lost six wickets for 59 runs.

(BT)