Women’s T20 Challenge 2019: Trailblazers halt Supernova’s charge
The opening encounter of the Women’s T20 Challenge 2019 saw a thrilling finish as the result came down to the last ball. Trailblazers had to defend three runs off the last ball with Supernova Captain Harpmanpreet Kaur on strike. Wicketkeeper Ravi Kalpana effected a run-out at the striker’s end to secure the two-run win.
Smriti Mandhana plays a blazing knock
Smriti Mandhana batted valiantly
Inserted to bat first at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, Trailblazers lost an early wicket in the form of Suzie Bates. Captain Smriti Mandhana took the 20-year old Harleen Deol for a company and started rebuilding the innings cautiously. They meandered to 32/1 in 8 overs. And then Mandhana changed gears.
The Captain started finding gaps in the field and also ventured to go over the infield. After a sedate start, she took it upon herself to take the side to a competitive total. Mandhana reached her fifty in 47 balls and kept accelerating the score. By the time her partner fell, the duo had raised a stand of 119 runs.
Mandhana not only dealt in boundaries but also cleared the ropes three times. In her outstanding knock of 90(67), she struck 10 fours and three sixes. Despite Supernova spinners applying the choke, Trailblazers ended up with 140 runs on the board.
Harmanpreet steals the show
Harmanpreet Kaur
In reply, Supernovas also lost the premature wicket of Priya Puniya. Srilankan all-rounder Chamari Athapaththu and Mumbaikar Jemimah Rodrigues consolidated for the side. In the span of three overs from 6th to 8th, the fielding side dropped as many as three catches. Shakera Selman eventually pulled off a run-out off her own bowling to send back Jemimah.
Supernovas kept losing wickets after the run-out. It took Harmanpreet Kaur and Natalie Sciver to get the chase back on track. The target ultimately came down to 19 runs from the last over of experienced Jhulan Goswami.
Harmanpreet put up an exhibition to slam three boundaries in the first four balls of the over. With seven runs needed off two balls, she played a lofted drive over covers. The ball nearly hit the ropes but fell just inches short. The equation was now three runs from the last ball. Harmanpreet missed the full delivery, and keeper Kalpana ran out Lea Tuhuhu to clinch the two-run win.
Smriti Mandhana was adjudged the Player of the match for her splendid innings. After the exhilarating clash, Jaipur crowds are expected to rein in for the following game. The second match will feature Trailblazers taking on Velocity on 8th May.
