Delhi Capitals comprehensively win against UP Warriorz
Meg Lanning-led Delhi Capitals clinched yet another victory in the ongoing Women’s Premier League (WPL). They defeated Alyssa Healy’s UP Warriorz by 42 runs at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on Tuesday, March 7.
Upon winning the toss, Healy decided to let Delhi set the target first. Delhi Capitals once again secured a score of over 200 runs, their second consecutive in this WPL. Skipper Meg Lanning swiftly hit the ground running and did not seem to be in any mood to slow down.
Lanning made full use of the powerplay and stitched a 62-run partnership with Shafali Verma in the first six overs. However, Tahlia McGrath and Sophie Ecclestone picked up the wickets of Shafali and Marizanne Kapp respectively, to momentarily get the Warriorz back into the game.
Moments later, Rajeshwari Gayakwad struck the major blow as she got the vital scalp of an in-form Lanning who scored 70 off 42 balls. With this knock, Lanning also grabbed the Orange Cap for being the highest run-getter in the tournament thus far, surpassing Hayley Matthews, who now stands second in the list with 124 runs in two games.
Just when UP seemed to be fixing their cracks, Jemimah Rodrigues and Jess Jonassen came down the middle-order and produced an innings-defining partnership. The duo added an unbeaten 67 runs off just 34 balls which helped the side propel to 211 runs in their stipulated 20 overs. Jonassen scored 42 (not out) off 20 balls with three sixes and three fours, whereas, Jemimah got 34 (not out) to her name in 22 balls.
Warriorz stutter in massive run chase
UP required a decent head start in the match to stay on course to obtain a favourable result. However, their plans could not be executed well as the side lost three quick wickets in under 35 runs. Alyssa Healy, skipper of the side, was the first to depart for 24 off 17 balls, courtesy of Jess Jonassen.
Jonassen struck for the second time when she got Kiran Navgire for just two runs. Meanwhile, Shweta Sehrawat was sent back to the dugout by Kapp after playing six balls and getting just one run.
Tahlia McGrath joined the crease and tried to put up a fight with her unbeaten 90-run knock. She stitched a 49-run stand with Devika Vaidya but it was cut-short by Jonassen again. For UP to pull off another stunner, the side required Tahlia to play a similar match-winning knock like the one Grace Harris’ produced in the previous game.
Interestingly, the Warriorz dropped the star batter in this clash whom they would have dearly missed during the chase. McGrath concluded the game with an outstanding score of 90 runs off 50 balls which included 11 boundaries and four maximums.
With the pressure continually mounting, the Warriorz eventually bowed down and handed a 42-run win to Delhi. Notably, Jonassen got a three-wicket haul to her name in her impressive outing against UP.
