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Gardner-Wareham Late Surge Powers Gujarat Giants to 167/4 vs MI

A crucial 71-run partnership between captain Ash Gardner and Georgia Wareham propelled Gujarat Giants to a competitive total of 167/4 against Mumbai Indians. The duo's late assault, particularly in the 16th and 17th overs, yielded 61 runs in the final five overs of the innings. For MI, Amelia Kerr and Shabnim Ismail bowled economical four-over spells to keep the scoring in check. The result of this match is vital, as a win solidifies GG's playoff spot while ending MI's title defence.

Key Points: WPL: Gujarat Giants Post 167/4 vs Mumbai Indians

  • Gardner-Wareham 71-run stand
  • GG posts 167/4
  • MI's title defence on the line
  • Kerr, Shabnim bowl tight spells
  • Playoff spot up for grabs
3 min read

WPL: Late surge from Gardner-Wareham takes Gujarat Giants to 167/4 against MI

Ash Gardner & Georgia Wareham's late blitz lifts Gujarat Giants to 167/4 against defending champions Mumbai Indians in a crucial WPL clash.

"A late surge had let them collect 61 runs in the final five overs."

Vadodara, January 30

A late surge from skipper Ash Gardner and Georgia Wareham helped Gujarat Giants to a solid 167/4 in 20 overs against defending champions Mumbai Indians in their Women's Premier League clash at Vadodara on Friday.

If GG wins this match, they will solidify their playoff spot, while for MI, it would be curtains in their title defence.

After GG won the toss and opted to bat first, Sophie Devine got a couple of boundaries to kickstart her innings. But the Aussie Beth Mooney just could not keep going and handed a leading edge into the hands of Sajeevan Sajana at mid-wicket for just five runs in eight balls. Shabnim Ismail got the first wicket, with GG at 21/1 in 2.2 overs.

Anushka Sharma, coming at number three, looked in good touch, collecting four boundaries in total against Vaishnavi Sharma. GG ended their powerplay at 48/1, with Anushka (18*) and Sophie (19*) developing a partnership.

Anushka looked in sublime touch, with a flick towards deep square leg for four, bringing GG's fifty in 6.3 overs. The 48-run stand was ended by Amelia Kerr, who got Anushka caught for 31-ball 33, with four boundaries and a six by Shabnim after being hit for a six on the previous ball. GG was 69/2 in 9.3 overs.

Nat-Sciver Brunt started the second half of the innings by getting Sophie for 21-ball 25, with three fours, with Amelia plucking a reverse cupped catch at deep mid-wicket. GG was 71/3 in 10.2 overs.

The captain, Ash Gardner, joined forces with her Aussie teammate Georgia Wareham. The duo took GG to the 100-run mark in 14.4 overs.

In the 16th over, Gardner took charge, starting the Hayley Matthews over with a six over deep mid-wicket and following it with a hat-trick of fours, leaking 19 runs in the process. In the next over by Shabnim, Gardner and Wareham collected two fours each, with 17 more runs coming.

Kerr ended the 71-run stand as a stumping ended Ash's stay for 28-ball 46, with seven fours and a six. GG was 142/4 in 17.2 overs.

In the next over, GG's late surge continued as Wareham smacked Nat-Sciver for a six over deep square leg and then a four over cover, bringing up the 150-run mark in 18.4 overs.

GG ended their innings at 167/4, with Bharti Fulmali (5*) and Wareham (44* in 26 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes) unbeaten. A late surge had let them collect 61 runs in the final five overs.

Kerr (2/26) and Shabnim (1/29) delivered top-class four-over spells for MI.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
167 is a very competitive total on this ground. MI's bowling was decent, but they let it slip at the death. Kerr was brilliant though. Now the pressure is on MI's batting lineup. If GG's bowlers can get early wickets, this could be over quickly.
A
Anjali F
So proud to see the WPL matches being held in Vadodara! It brings the game closer to fans in smaller cities. The partnership between Gardner and Wareham was pure class. Hope this inspires more young girls in Gujarat to pick up the bat and ball.
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David E
As a cricket fan living in India now, I have to say the quality of the WPL is impressive. That said, the article could use a bit more analysis on the field placements during the death overs. MI seemed to miss a trick there by not having a third man or fine leg up in the 16th over.
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Karthik V
Bharti Fulmali played a sensible, unbeaten little cameo at the end. Sometimes those 5* off 3 balls are crucial in the final total. Great team effort. Now, please GG bowlers, defend this for the sake of our playoff chances! 🙏
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Sarah B
Amelia Kerr is such a gun player. 2/26 in her four overs on a day when others were getting hit. She's the backbone of that MI side. Still, 61 runs in the last 5 overs is too much to give away in a tight match. The defending champions have it all to do now.

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