WPL | Sciver-Brunt does the star turn as MI cruises past Warriorz

Natalie Sciver-Brunt shines as Mumbai Indians defeat UP Warriorz in Women's Premier League, moving to the top of the table.

An excellent all-round show from Natalie Sciver-Brunt (three for 18 and 75 n.o.) helped Mumbai Indians defeat UP Warriorz by eight wickets in the Women’s Premier League at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Wednesday.

MI (six points) moved to the top of the table on the back of a better run-rate than Delhi Capitals (six points). MI has a match in hand.

After dazzling with her seamers, Sciver-Brunt drove the MI chase with a classy knock. She kept the tempo high while her partner Hayley Matthews (59, 50b, 7x4, 2x6) took her time to settle in.

When the required rate began to rise, Sciver-Brunt stepped up with the big hits. The 32-year-old, who made 42, 57 and 80 n.o. in the previous matches, overtook RCB’s Ellyse Perry as the highest run-scorer of the tournament.

After being put in to bat, UP frittered away a great start to end with a par score. Grace Harris, promoted to open the innings, made merry in the PowerPlay. The Australian did serious damage in the fourth over, bowled by off-spinner Matthews, striking two sixes and two fours.

Harris thrived in the company of one-drop Vrinda Dinesh (33, 30b, 5x4), who played the anchor role. At the end of six overs, UP raced to 62 for one.

Leg-spinner Amelia Kerr bagged the crucial wicket of Harris (45, 26b, 6x4, 2x6), who mistimed a big hit. In the next over, off-spinner Sanskriti Gupta put the skids under UP’s plans by dismissing Vrinda and Tahlia McGrath (1, 2b).