Warriorz bite dust at home again as MI seal 6-wkt win

Lucknow: Amelia Kerr's five-wicket haul and Hayley Mathews' half-century powered Mumbai Indians to a comfortable six-wicket victory over UP Warriorz at the Ekana International Stadium on Thursday. With this defeat, UP Warriorz are eliminated from playoff contention, while Mumbai Indians climbed to second place. UP Warriorz will play their final match of the season against RCB here on Saturday.MI romped home despite losing a couple of wickets towards the end. However, Yastika Bhatia sealed the win with two boundaries off Deepti Sharma in the 19th over. Mumbai Indians' innings began shakily as Chinelle Henry dismissed Amelia Kerr (10) in the third over. Kerr attempted to loft a hard-length delivery but found Grace Harris at mid-off, leaving MI at 24/1 in 3 overs. Mathews continued her fine form, registering her second fifty of the season, both against UP Warriorz. Nat Sciver-Brunt joined Mathews at the crease, and together they stitched a 98-run partnership off 58 deliveries. The stand ended when Brunt (37) was caught by Deepti Sharma at short mid-wicket, reducing MI to 116/2 in 12.4 overs. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur then partnered with Mathews, who soon fell to Kranti Gaud after scoring 68 off 46 balls. Following Mathews' dismissal, Amanjot Kaur joined Harmanpreet (4), contributing 10 runs before Grace Harris dismissed her at 137/4 in 16.3 overs. Yastika Bhatia then took charge alongside Amanjot Singh, ensuring MI's victory. Earlier, Mumbai Indians' leg-spinner Amelia Kerr delivered a stellar bowling performance, taking five wickets and restricting UP Warriorz to 150/9 in 20 overs. Grace Harris (28) and Georgia Voll (55) gave UP Warriorz an explosive start, adding 74 runs off 48 balls. However, Harris, attempting a pull shot, was caught at fine leg by Kamalini off Hayley Mathews in the 8th over. After Harris' dismissal, Navgire joined Voll but failed to make an impact, getting caught by Sisodia at short third after a fumbled first attempt, departing at 84/2 in 9.3 overs. Soon after, Voll attempted a scoop shot but missed completely, leaving Warriorz struggling at 90/3 in 10.2 overs. Vrinda Dinesh (10) and captain Deepti Sharma (27) added 26 runs in 24 balls for the fourth wicket before Amelia Kerr dismissed both in the 15th over. Sophie Ecclestone (16) provided a late boost, hitting three boundaries to take the hosts to 150 runs.
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