Matthews tidy, but MI Women stumble to another defeat

A considerable all-round performance from West Indies Women’s Captain, Hayley Matthews failed to inspire Mumbai Indians to a win, leading to a 29 runs defeat by Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League Twenty20 tournament at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in India.

The 25-year-old Barbadian all-rounder took one for 23 from two overs, but Capitals made half-centuries from India international Jemimah Rodrigues and Australia international Meg Lanning to reach 192 for four after they were put in to bat first.

Matthews, opening the batting, made 29 off 17 deliveries that included half dozen boundaries, but she was one of four wickets that fell quickly, and MI could only reach 163 for 8. MI sank to their second defeat in five matches in the tournament.

MI lost wickets in each of the first three overs of the chase. Matthews remained long enough to carry MI past 50 before Australia international Jess Jonassen got her caught at mid-wicket in the final over of the power play.

MI were 55 for 5, and they never recovered despite 42 from Amanjot Kaur and 24 not out from Sajeevan Sajana.

Jonassen was the pick of the Capitals bowlers taking three for 21 from four overs, and Kapp ended with 2 for 37 from four overs.

Earlier, Rodrigues was unbeaten on 69 from 33 balls that included eight fours and three sixes, and Meg Lanning, the Capitals captain, supported with 53 from 38 balls striking six fours and two sixes to lead their side’s batting.

Lanning anchored the Capitals batting to 56 for one at the beginning  and 86 for 2 at the halfway stage before she was caught at deep mid-wicket off Pooja Vastrakar in the 13th over.

Rodrigues contributed to the ending of the Capitals batting adding 69 in the final five overs.