WPL 2023: Top five all-round shows from first week

The first week of the 2023 Women’s Premier League (WPL) has concluded with a terrific victory of UP Warriorz (UPW) over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the eighth match. With Sophie Ecclestone’s 4/13 and Alyssa Healy’s unbeaten 96 off 47, UPW routed RCB in a 10-wicket triumph with seven overs to spare. After this loss, RCB are now placed at the bottom of the table with four defeats in all four games they appeared.

On the other side, MI are ruling the table with three wins in three matches. In their first game, they annihilated Gujarat Giants (GG) with swashbuckling all-round shows from some of their players. Following MI’s performance in the first week, it could be said that allrounders have been key for the team’s success. Along with MI, Delhi Capitals (DC) have also won a few games riding on the heroics of their all-rounders.

Here are five all-round performances from first week of WPL 2023:

5. Nat Sciver-Brunt’s 55 (29) and 1/34 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore

In the fourth game of the WPL, Nat Sciver-Brunt looked amazing for MI against RCB. Winning the toss, RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana chose to bat first as the openers created pressure on MI bowlers, maintaining the run-rate of more than 9 runs/over.

However, Saika Ishaque provided the first breakthrough to MI, removing Devine for 16 (11). Following her removal, RCB's batting innings got back-to-back blows as their prime batters such as Mandhana, Heather Knight and Disha Kasat capitulated in front of MI bowlers. In the end, Richa Ghosh’s 28 and some contributions from lower-order batters helped RCB to post 155 in 18.4 overs.

Chasing 156, Hayley Matthews kicked off MI’s innings in style, amassing 45 runs in the first five overs along with her opening partner Yastika Bhatia. However, Bhatia fell to Preeti Bose for 23 runs before Nat Sciver-Brunt completed the chase with Matthews. Sciver, who took 1/34, joined the Caribbean batter to assault RCB. With her knock of 55 off 29, having nine fours and a six, she played a huge role in her team’s comprehensive nine-wicket victory.