Match Details
Pursuing a paltry total of 74, Hayley Kristen Matthews and Phoebe Litchfield spearheaded the innings for the Warriors and the duo started the innings on an assertive note. The left-hander Litchfield started the assault in the second over of the innings and went after experienced Ayabonga Khaka. Matthews soon followed her way and smashed Mahika Gaur for a massive six.
However, the left-armer Gaur was quick to get her revenge as she dismissed Matthews the very next delivery for 8(6). Gaur bagged another wicket in the same over by getting rid of Ellie Johnston 1(3) with the help of some extra bounce. Skipper Sindhu Sriharsha then joined forces with Litchfield and deaccelerated the innings. The left-right duo was not able to carve gaps on this sluggish surface and skipper Sriharsha eventually succumbed to the building pressure and departed after a scratchy inning of 3(17).
Sophia Dunkley was introduced into the attack in the 9th over and she has an immediate impact as the right-arm spinner got better off Litchfield for 21(22). Reeling at 35/4, Mignon du Preez and Kathryn Bryce then joined forces and provided the resurgence to the Warriors’ innings. The duo kept moving the scorecard at a decent rate before Bryce went all guns blazing in the 12th over and almost finished the game.
The 38-run partnership was ceased by Dunkley as she removed Bryce for 26(18) and that was followed by another quick wicket of Yasmeen Khan 0(2). However, the Warriors only required one run by then it was Mignon du Preez 8*(11), who secured the winning runs for her side.
Earlier in the day, Shamilia Connell boosted the Warriors to a perfect start by dismissing Sarah Jennifer Bryce for a golden duck in the first over of the contest. Sophia Dunkley batted with an aggressive approach following the early departure of Bryce. The English opener counterattacked before she was outdone by Jess Kerr for 16(16).
Two early wickets dented Spirit’s progress and they finished the powerplay on 33/2. Natthakan Chantham and Bismah Maroof got together and soaked up the pressure but they were unable to rotate the strike frequently. The sluggish 21-run partnership was ended by Amanda-Jade Wellington as got the massive wicket of Marooof 6(14).
Following Marooof’s wicket, the Spirits drifted away from the contest and lost wickets in clusters. They struggled to stitch a partnership in the middle and the Warriors’ bowlers kept bowling in the right areas. Eventually, they were skittled out on only 73 in the first innings. Jess Kerr was the pick of the bowlers for the Warriors and finished her stint on 11/3. Stick around for the post-match presentation!