Nat Sciver-Brunt delivered a stellar all-round performance to guide the Mumbai Indians to the top of the WPL 2025 table with a commanding eight-wicket win over UP Warriorz in Bengaluru. She claimed three wickets and then smashed an unbeaten 75 off 44 balls, helping Mumbai chase down the 143-run target with 18 balls to spare.
The Warriorz initially showed promise with Grace Harris’ brisk 45 and Vrinda Dinesh’s steady 33 but crumbled, losing eight wickets for just 54 runs to post a below-par total.
In response, Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews forged a formidable 133-run partnership for the second wicket, making the chase straightforward. While Matthews battled her way to a 59 off 50 balls after an early reprieve, Sciver-Brunt’s boundary-filled innings ensured Mumbai cruised to their third win in four games.
With this knock, Sciver-Brunt now tops the WPL run charts with 252 runs from four matches, surpassing Ellyse Perry’s tally of 235. Meanwhile, the Warriorz sit fourth on the points table with two wins from five outings.
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Sciver-Brunt’s Masterclass Steers Mumbai’s Chase with Flair
Walking in early at 6 for 1 in the fourth over, Nat Sciver-Brunt wasted no time in taking charge, even as Hayley Matthews struggled to find her rhythm. With Chinelle Henry swinging the ball both ways and runs hard to come by during the powerplay, Sciver-Brunt needed just five deliveries to shift the momentum.
She launched into Saima Thakor with three consecutive boundaries in the sixth over, sending the ball to long-on, deep square leg, and deep cover. Her calculated approach, using the crease smartly and capitalizing on her bottom-hand strength, allowed her to maneuver the ball with ease across the field.
Whether cutting fiercely at width or pulling short deliveries behind and in front of square, Sciver-Brunt dominated the Warriorz bowlers. She brought up her half-century off just 29 balls, laced with nine boundaries, and further accelerated with another hat-trick of fours off Henry in the 11th over, reducing the equation to a manageable 54 off 47 balls.
From there, it was smooth sailing for Mumbai Indians as Matthews rediscovered her touch, adding timely boundaries. Sciver-Brunt’s blistering 44-ball innings featured 13 fours, sealing a comfortable chase for her side.
Harris Shines at the Top, Vrinda Anchors at No. 3
Seeking a fresh approach after four matches, UP Warriorz promoted Grace Harris to open—drawing inspiration from the WBBL and the Hundred—after her struggles in the middle order. The move paid immediate dividends as Harris looked at ease from the outset.
Following Kiran Navgire’s early dismissal in the first over, Harris and Vrinda Dinesh took charge on a pitch offering some grip. The pair stitched together a vital 79-run stand off 52 balls, laying a solid foundation for the Warriorz.
Harris kickstarted her innings with a cheeky scoop against Nat Sciver-Brunt before taking Shabnim Ismail to task with three consecutive boundaries in the second over. Her aggressive intent continued as she hammered Hayley Matthews for a sequence of 6, 4, 4, 6 in the fourth over. Displaying a wide range of strokes—sweeps, pulls, and powerful hits down the ground—Harris kept the scoreboard ticking briskly.
At the other end, Vrinda, who had managed just 40 runs in her previous four outings, found her rhythm. She began with a graceful lofted cover drive in the third over, followed by a well-executed hook shot. Unlike Harris, Vrinda favored the off side, timing her cover drives to perfection en route to a composed 30-ball 33.
Their efforts produced an 81-run opening contribution—the Warriorz’s highest partnership of the WPL season so far—setting the platform for a competitive total.
Warriorz’s Middle-Overs Struggles Persist
UP Warriorz captain Deepti Sharma had recently acknowledged the need for improvement in the middle overs, but her side’s woes continued as they squandered a promising start. From a strong position at 81 for 1, the Warriorz collapsed to 123 for 7, losing five wickets for just 30 runs during the crucial middle phase.
The downfall began in the 10th over when Amelia Kerr dismissed Grace Harris, who had earlier survived a chance on 44 after Shabnim Ismail dropped her off Jintimani Kalita’s bowling. Momentum shifted further in the 11th over, with offspinner Sanskriti Gupta delivering a decisive blow—removing both Vrinda Dinesh and Tahlia McGrath within four balls. The double strike stalled Warriorz’s progress, and they struggled to regain momentum thereafter.
This recurring pattern has been costly for the Warriorz throughout the WPL season. They’ve lost a league-high 24 wickets between overs 7 and 16 and have scored at the slowest rate (6.72) in that phase. With no standout performances to bail them out this time, their two-match winning streak came to an end.
FAQs
How did Nat Sciver-Brunt contribute to Mumbai Indians’ win against UP Warriorz?
Nat Sciver-Brunt delivered a stellar all-round performance, taking three wickets and scoring an unbeaten 75 off 44 balls to guide Mumbai Indians to an eight-wicket victory.
What was the impact of Grace Harris opening for UP Warriorz?
Promoted to open for the first time in the WPL, Grace Harris scored a quickfire 45, forming a crucial 79-run partnership with Vrinda Dinesh.
Why did UP Warriorz struggle despite a strong start?
UP Warriorz collapsed from 81 for 1 to 123 for 7, losing five wickets in the middle overs—a recurring issue that has seen them lose the most wickets (24) in that phase during WPL 2024.
Who is the leading run-scorer of WPL 2024 so far?
With 252 runs in four matches, Nat Sciver-Brunt leads the WPL 2024 run-scoring charts, surpassing Ellyse Perry’s 235 runs.
How significant was the partnership between Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews?
Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews stitched together a 133-run stand for the second wicket, making Mumbai Indians’ 143-run chase a comfortable one with 18 balls to spare.
