The 5th match of the Women’s T20 League saw a clash between Delhi and UP at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Many fans expected a thrilling contest as both teams came after winning their opening matches but that didn’t happen as Delhi showcased a brilliant batting display in the second match as well and smashed 211 runs. They restricted UP on the score of 169 runs and won the match by 42 runs.
Talking about the match, UP won the toss and opted to bowl first but Delhi openers Meg Lanning and Shafali Verma once again provided a flying start to the team as they both stitched a 67-run partnership for the first wicket, however, Shafali only contributed 17 runs and was dismissed in the 7 over.
UP skipper carried the acceleration and smashed 70 runs off just 42 deliveries which included 10 fours and 3 sixes. James Rodrigues came to bat at no.4 and kept the scoreboard ticking while Alice Capsey departed after a quickfire 21 runs knock off just 10 balls with the help of 2 sixes and 1 four.
Jess Jonassen joined hands with Rodrigues and both stitched an unbeaten 67-run stand for the fifth wicket. Jonassen anchored the partnership as she smashed 42 runs in 20 balls. Shabnim Ismail was the best bowler from UP as she picked up a wicket while conceding only 29 runs in her 4 overs quota.
Brilliant all-round performance by Jess Jonassen in the Women's T20 League
Chasing the target, UP skipper Alyssa Healy started the innings really well as she smashed 5 boundaries but soon departed on the score of 24 runs, and after that the top order scattered like a pack of cards. Later, Tahila McGrath and Deepti Sharma steadied the ship but Deepti’s slow gameplay increased the required run rate which eventually put pressure on her and she got dismissed in the 11th over.
Devika Vaidya came to bat at no.6 and provided good support to McGrath who was constantly hitting boundaries and kept the scoreboard running but Vaidya failed to keep the other end safe and lost her wicket in the 17th over and after that, it was just formality for both teams to play the remaining overs as Delhi won their second match as well. Jonassen was the star performer of the match as she picked up 3 wickets after her breathtaking batting display in the first innings.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Meg Lanning will go down as the greatest captain in the history of cricket . What a phenomenal cricketer that steps up whoever the team needs her and has best cricketing brain. What a player , once in generation talent
— Sathwik Hv (@sathwik_hv) March 7, 2023
Tommo clash of beaten teams
— Muscle man (@rAzkingin) March 7, 2023
Deepti Sharma 12 runs in 20 balls while chasing 200+ 👏
— Ujjwal Pandey 🇮🇳 (@UjjwalPandey03) March 7, 2023
Tahlia McGrath is a star, nobody gave value to.
— Rahul 🇮🇳 (@Atoner_sharma) March 7, 2023
I keep saying Lanning is the greatest leader from Australia just because of her attitude.
Chumbai will be thrashed that day badly by queen Meg.
— Ankit Pant(😁) (@cricholic90) March 7, 2023
Bc english pleyer ki hi achi inning dekh ne ko mil rahi indian pleyer🤡 🗿
— it's karan (@okkaran001) March 7, 2023
Mumbai - Delhi will be a tussling match... Both teams have been in top form... Let's see...💙💙
— Balram Bhala (@BalramBhala) March 7, 2023
Pollution v Slums 🥵
— N🇺🇾(⭐⭐⭐⭐) (@icrynowww) March 7, 2023