Matthews fails with bat as Mumbai miss out on final

DELHI, India (CMC):

Hayley Matthews shone with the ball but failed with the bat as her Mumbai Indians missed out on a place in the Women’s Super League final with a heart-breaking five-run loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore.

In pursuit of what should have been an uncomplicated 136 in the eliminator at Arun Jaitley Stadium here Friday, Mumbai were restricted to 130 for six after appearing on course for their target at one stage.

With just 20 runs required from the last 18 balls of the contest, Mumbai critically lost captain Harmanpreet Kaur for 33 off 30 deliveries – one of three wickets to tumble at the back end of the chase.

Matthews made 15 from 14 balls with three fours before becoming the first casualty of the chase after posting 27 for the first wicket with Yastika Bhatia (19), holing out to deep mid-wicket in the fourth over.

With the innings struggling at 68 for three in the 11th over, Harmanpreet came to her side’s rescue anchoring a 52-run, fourth-wicket stand with Australian Amelia Kerr who struck an unbeaten 27 off 25 balls.

However, once the Indian batting star miscued to long on at the end of the 18th, Mumbai found themselves chasing the game yet again.

Earlier, Matthews claimed two for 18 from four overs of incisive off-spin as RCB rallied to 135 for six off their 20 overs after choosing to bat first.

Slumping at 49 for four in the 10th over after Matthews picked off opener Sophie Devine (10) and Richa Ghosh (14) cheaply, RCB rebounded, courtesy of Ellyse Perry’s 66 off 50 balls.

She struck eight fours and a six, putting on 35 for the fifth wicket with Sophie Molineux (11) before adding a further 42 for the sixth wicket with Georgia Wareham (18 not out).