UPW Women vs MI Women, 16th Match at Lucknow, WPL, Mar 06 2025 - Ball by Ball Commentary

UPW are all but done this season, you'd think. They are right at the bottom of the points table, and need miracles to happen to finish third and make it to the playoffs. MI, meanwhile, have taken one big step towards a top-three spot with a big win today. That's it from us, but join us again tomorrow as the WPL action continues. Until then, goodnight and goodbye!

Hayley Matthews is the Player of the Match: "Had one other fifty, but it was a lot more scratchier than today. We just wanted to stay clam [after their 74-run opening partnership], knowing we can catch back. It was pretty good to bowl on as an offspinner. Fortunately, when I went to bat, a bit of dew came on."

Harmanpreet Kaur: "They batted really well. We were not able to use the conditions as we had thought. But we knew we just needed one wicket. We were waiting for that opportunity, and it came at the right time. We are quite flexible. Today, we went with what was the best for us [in terms of the opening pair]. We all wanted to contribute for the team."

Time for the presentations

Amelia Kerr: "In T20 cricket, you get a lot of luck. Today, I had luck on my side. Sometimes you might get hit for a bit. Nice to pick up some wickets and find a way to contribute. Obviously it's not that fun bowling the last over with three fielders out. I did enjoy [opening the batting]. I'd love to get a score. But it's nice to open the batting. The ball comes on nicely. Hopefully, I can contribute with the bat in the coming games."

Nat Sciver-Brunt: "It probably starts in the first innings - we've got bowlers who take a lot of wickets. That certainly makes it easier for batters. We've got some great runs throughout the order. I have some games where the back-of-the-hand slower ball doesn't come right. It's a difficult ball to bowl. You take the chance with it."

Nat Sciver-Brunt and Amelia Kerr are now the Orange and Purple Cap holders, respectively.

Deepti Sharma: "The middle order isn't firing. The top order, though, is doing well. But there are positives, like Voll batting well. It was great to see her. Whenever you play in the middle order, there are moments when you need to shift the momentum of the game. But we want to put in all our efforts in our last game. As a player, I look to step up in my department. I'm learning how to improve."

10.49pm MI seemed to take this deeper than they would have liked, but eventually, six wickets and nine balls to spare does look solid. They hit back with the ball when UPW looked to head towards 200, and Matthews' flying start ensured the target of 151 was knocked off comfortably. She cracked 68 off 46 balls, and had a match-defining second-wicket stand of 92 in ten overs with NSB. That gave MI the foundation they needed, and they ended up on the winning side.

Deepti back

Over the stumps to Amanjot

Voll from around the wicket

Harris from around the wicket

Yastika at No. 6

Here's Harris

MI need only another 15.

Time-out