The China Mail - Sciver-Brunt, Wong hat-trick lead Mumbai into WPL final

Mumbai will face Delhi Capitals in the final at the Brabourne Stadium in the same city on Sunday.

Sciver-Brunt smashed an unbeaten 38-ball 72 to propel Mumbai to 182-4 before fast bowler Wong claimed 4-15.

Warriorz captain Alyssa Healy won the toss and asked Mumbai to bat first, but they failed to check Mumbai's second-half batting flourish before being bundled out for just 110 in the 18th over.

Both Warriorz openers -- Healy (11) and Shweta Sehrawat (1) -- were back in the pavillion by the end of the third over.

Tahlia McGrath (seven) was run out leaving Warriorz reeling at 21-3, from which they never recovered.

Kiran Navgire's 27-ball 43 was the only standout innings for Warriorz before she fell in the 13th over, caught by Sciver-Brunt off England bowler Wong who then completed the tournament's first hat-trick by dismissing Simran Shaikh (0) and Sophie Ecclestone (0).

She was ably supported by Saika Ishaque (2-24) and Jintimani Kalita and Hayley Matthews who took one wicket each in their tight bowling spells.

UP Warriorz had started well after dismissing both Mumbai openers -- Yastika Bhatia (21) and Matthews (26).

But Warriorz couldn't dismiss Sciver-Brunt, who first took the score past 100 in a partnership with India and Mumbai captain, Harmanpreet Kaur (14).

She unleashed her power hitting, after Kaur's dismissal, with Amelia Kerr, who hit a 19-ball 29.

A four-ball 11 cameo by Pooja Vastrakar pushed Mumbai to an above-par 182.

Ecclestone was the Warriorz' most effective bowler and finished her four-over spell with 2-39.

The five-team WPL is already the second most lucrative domestic women's sport competition globally after WNBA basketball in the United States.

O.Yip--ThChM