Women’s Premier League (WPL) inaugural season was a big success but several international stars were ignored by the franchises as they picked players for specific roles in their sides. England’s Lauren Winfield-Hill was one of them. Lauren did not find a franchise at the end of the auction at the base price of Rs 30 lakh. Now, she is making headlines with her unbeaten 120 in run chase of 161.
She made her intentions known in the first over itself by hitting Pakistan's Aliya Riaz for a four and a six. She was so dominant in the powerplay overs that she scored 49 runs from 30 balls while her opening partner Laura Wolvaardt scored just seven runs.
She reached her half-century from 31 deliveries. She preyed on associate nation bowlers and took the game away from Tornadoes Women led by West Indies' Stafanie Taylor. She reached her century from 56 balls in the 13th over. On the other end, Wolvaardt had scored just 19 runs. In the 15th over, Wolvaardt joined the party and hit Maryam Bibi for two sixes and one four.
Lauren finished the run chase with a boundary in the 16th over. Barmy Army Women beat Torandoes Women by 10 wickets with 26 balls remaining. Lauren remained unbeaten for 120 off 64 deliveries including 17 fours and five sixes. On the other end, Proteas batter scored 40 runs from 31 balls including two fours and as many sixes.
Earlier Lauren won the toss and elected to field first. Tornadoes Women lost their top order in the powerplay overs. South Africa skipper Luus and Natasha Miles shared a 97-run partnership for the fourth wicket to get the innings back on track. While Miles got run out for a 45-ball 40, Luus remained unbeaten till the end. She scored 65 runs from 43 balls including six fours and three sixes. Riaz also contributed with 11 runs from just six deliveries to help Torandoes Women post 160/4.
Barmy Army Women are currently placed third on the points table in the six-team invitational tournament. They have won two out of three games and have seven points.
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