Mumbai down RCB as Sciver-Brunt slams first-ever WPL ton

Nat Sciver-Brunt

IMAGE: Nat Sciver-Brunt of Mumbai Indians became the first-ever centurion in Women's Premier League history, stroking an unbeaten 100 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, in Vadodara, on Monday. Photograph: WPL/X

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Key Points

Nat Sciver-Brunt's first-ever ton of WPL history guides MI to a 15-run win over RCB.
Sciver-Brunt hit 16 boundaries and a six in her unbeaten 100 off 57 balls.
In reply, Richa Ghosh made a 50-ball 90, but the rest of the batters failed.
The win helped MI remain in contention for play-offs.

Nat Sciver-Brunt (100 not out) hit the first-ever century of Women's Premier League history in its fourth edition as dominant Mumbai Indians beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 15 runs, despite Richa Ghosh's whirlwind 90, in Vadodara, on Monday.

In a must-win game to remain in contention for play-offs, defending champions Mumbai hit their strides to produce a near-perfect performance with the bat, piling up 199 for four.

Hayley Matthews

IMAGE: Hayley Matthews made 56 off 39 balls and put on 131 off 73 balls for the second wicket with Nat Sciver-Brunt. Photograph: WPL/X

But, despite making early inroads to leave RCB reeling at 35 for 5 inside the Powerplay, MI bowlers appeared clueless against Richa who hammered 10 fours and six sixes to make 90 off 50 balls in her team's 184 for 9.

RCB collected 43 runs in the last two overs, with India all-rounder Amanjot Kaur being smacked for three sixes in a row by Richa.

Nat Sciver-Brunt

IMAGE: Nat Sciver-Brunt hit 16 boundaries and a six. Photograph: WPL/X

Hayley Matthews (56 and 3/10), who had earlier struck a vital half-century, jolted MI twice as she accounted for skipper Smriti Mandhana (6) and Georgia Voll (9) in the fourth over, and for Radha Yadav (0) in her next.

Shabnim Ismail (2/25), who had struck first to remove Grace Harris (15), cleaned up Gautami Naik (1) for her second wicket while also took a sharp catch in the deep to help Matthews dismiss Radha.

With the win, Mumbai jumped to second spot with six points from seven matches.

Lauren Bell

IMAGE: Lauren Bell celebrates withe teammates after dismissing Sajana Sajeevan. Photograph: WPL/X

Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Giants are also on six points from six matches each but Mumbai have better Net Run Rate.

Earlier, England's Sciver-Brunt (100 not out) struck the first-ever century in WPL to fire Mumbai Indians to a formidable 199for 4.

Sciver-Brunt's 57-ball unbeaten ton and Matthews' 56 laid the foundation for a big total for Mumbai Indians.

Harmanpreet Kaur

IMAGE: Harmanpreet Kaur plays a shot. Photograph: WPL/X

Matthews and Sciver-Brunt put on 131 runs off 73 balls for the second wicket in a whirlwind partnership in which they not only rotated strike well but unleashed a flurry of boundaries.

Matthews struck nine fours to make 56 off 39 balls while Sciver-Brunt hammered 16 fours and one six for her 100 not out.

The pair came together early in the third over when Lauren Bell (2/21) trapped Sajeevan Sajana (7) in front of the wickets.