In a sensational display of batting prowess, the experienced campaigner Ellyse Perry left an indelible mark on the Women’s Premier League (WPL) match held at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Amidst the intense heat of competition between the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and the UP Warriorz, Perry contributed a riveting 58 runs off just 37 balls, playing an instrumental role in the formidable 95-run partnership with the dynamo Smriti Mandhana. Both players systematically dismantled the UP bowlers’ attack, pushing RCB to an imposing 198 in the first innings.
The Australian star’s bat was ablaze with a series of hefty strokes, but one, in particular, etched a permanent memory for spectators as it shattered the window glass of a car on display within the stadium premises. This iconic moment unfolded during the 19th over when Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma sent down her inning’s final delivery. Perry’s instincts took over as she charged down the wicket, meeting the ball with a full-blooded swipe, sending it soaring over deep mid-wicket. The ball’s trajectory ended abruptly as it crashed into the display car, leaving a web of fractured glass in its wake.
Besides her glass-shattering exploits, Perry was pivotal in orchestrating RCB’s highest WPL total to date. Her partner in crime, Mandhana, was nothing short of a batting maestro as she recorded successive WPL fifties. Her fiery innings comprised 80 runs off merely 50 balls, which included a glorious array of 10 fours and three sixes, essentially wreaking havoc on the opposition. Mandhana’s stellar innings met its end at the hands of the same bowler, Deepti Sharma, when she mishit a delivery to deep mid-wicket.
As Mandhana exited, Perry continued to wage war against the Warriorz alongside Richa Ghosh. Reaching her half-century off 33 balls, Perry’s innings was eventually thwarted by Sophie Ecclestone in the final over, caught at deep mid-wicket. This was a climax to an innings that had offered much to the Bengaluru crowd, including that unforgettable six.
The Warriorz bowlers faced one of their toughest outings, with Ecclestone proving to be the only one to stem the run flow notching up one wicket for just 22 runs across her four overs. On the contrary, Rajeshwari Gayakwad bore the brunt of the assault, conceding a hefty 43 runs in a mere three overs without claiming any wickets.
The match will likely be remembered for Ellyse Perry’s power hitting, which not only contributed to a significant RCB total but also left a physical imprint on the ground. Moments like these signify the arrival of the WPL as a platform where the world’s best can display their talent, providing thrilling spectacles for fans. Perry’s performance also underlines the growing prominence and excitement surrounding women’s cricket as it continues to ascend to unprecedented levels of popularity and competition.
This explosive partnership between Perry and Mandhana reinforces the undeniable assertion that women’s cricket is entering a new era. With athletes of their caliber at the helm, the WPL undoubtedly harbors the potential to elevate the women’s game to uncharted territories. On the back of this memorable match, the fans, the players, and the league itself look forward to more such enthralling encounters, as the world continues to witness women’s cricket rise and command the center stage.
