Captain Meg Lanning’s second consecutive half-century and Jess Jonassen’s all-round performance helped Delhi Capitals register a 42-run win over UP Warriors in the Women’s Premier League here on Tuesday. Lanning played an entertaining 70 off 42 balls as Delhi Capitals once again showed their prowess to post 211 for four against UP Warriors after being brought in to bat.
Jess Jonassen, who scored an unbeaten 42 off 20 balls, came back to pick up three wickets which shut the door on UP Warriors, who ended at 169 for five in 20 overs.
Tahlia McGrath delayed the inevitable by hitting an unbeaten 90 off 50 balls, the highest ever individual score in the WPL.
This was Delhi’s second win in as many matches while Warriors suffered their first defeat in the first season.
Warriors could not recover from Jonassen’s double whammy in the fourth over when she dismissed opposition captain Alyssa Healy (24 off 17 balls) and Kiran Navagire (2). The left-arm spinner beat Healy in flight and caught him at point before the fledgling fell to a wild slog.
India Under-19 star Shweta Sehrawat (1) struggled in her six balls and was caught behind off Marijan Kapp to leave Warriors three for 31.
Warriors made a questionable call to dismiss Grace Harris for the extra pace of Shabnim Ismail which would have won them the game against Gujarat Giants. Although Ismail was the best bowler on show, Harris’ huge firepower was missed in the run chase.
Earlier, Lanning stole the show in the first half of Delhi’s innings while fellow Australian Jonassen went ballistic in the death overs to ensure Delhi crossed the 200-run mark for the second time.
Delhi scored 65 runs in the last five overs, with Jonassen getting good support from Jemimah Rodrigues (34 not out off 22 balls).
UP Warriors opted to field early, thinking the surface would suit the pacers early, but Delhi were able to negate that threat to post a challenging total.
Lanning and her opening partner Shafali Verma (17 off 14 balls) shared a 39-ball 67 as the skipper did most of the damage.
Ismail moved the ball around in his opening spell but was unlucky to get a wicket. Anyone knew it was Lanning’s day because even his mishits were going all the way. His innings included 10 fours and three sixes.
With Ismail looking to swing the ball, Lanning went for the full ball flick but got an edge over the bowler’s head for the first six of the game.
Lanning’s second six again came off Ismail as he hit a pull that went over the fine-leg fielder.
The inspirational Australian captain was brilliant with her backfoot play on both sides of the wicket and the cut and pull was an integral part of her game.
She reached her second consecutive half-century by sweeping the ball of Sophie Ecclestone. It was a top-edge that cleared the backward square fence comfortably.
Shafali was dismissed by Tahlia McGrath in the seventh over with a diving catch by Kiran Navagire at deep square leg.
When Delhi were 87 for one in nine overs, play was stopped for a while due to light rain.
Barring Ismail, all other UP bowlers conceded more than 10 runs per over.
