Vadodara, Jan 26 (NationPress) Batting all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt has made her mark in history by becoming the inaugural batter to achieve a century in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). She led the Mumbai Indians to a formidable score of 199/4 against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the BCA Stadium, Kotambi, in Vadodara on Monday.

After a wait of 1059 days and 82 matches, the WPL finally celebrated its first centurion, and it was none other than England's Sciver-Brunt, who also marked her first T20 century. Coming in early, she handled the pressure adeptly before accelerating with exceptional strokeplay and timing, dismantling the RCB bowling attack with an unbeaten 57-ball century filled with 16 fours and a six.

Teaming up with Hayley Matthews, who scored a brisk 56 off 39 balls, Sciver-Brunt propelled the Mumbai Indians past the previous highest total at the venue for this season. The pair forged a 131-run partnership, as boundaries flowed abundantly once they settled in. Although Hayley departed after her fifty, Nat continued to persist, reaching the three-figure milestone in the final over.

RCB’s bowlers faced a challenging outing, with only Lauren Bell showing some control and taking 2-21 in her four overs. The others struggled with their lengths, often too full or too short, and were duly punished by the MI batters. With dew expected to play a significant role, RCB now faces a daunting chase and will require exceptional performances to surpass the target.

After being sent in to bat, Sajeevan Sajana hit an early boundary but was dismissed lbw by Lauren Bell in the third over. Sciver-Brunt then joined Hayley, and the duo formed a commanding partnership. They took their time to settle before unleashing their full potential in the middle overs.

Sciver-Brunt’s fluent strokeplay, particularly on the leg side, and Hayley’s acceleration saw MI cross the 100-run mark in the 12th over. Hayley completed her half-century but was bowled by Lauren for 56, concluding a strong partnership that had positioned MI firmly in control.

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur maintained the momentum with a quick 20 off 12 balls, hitting two fours and a six, before being dismissed by Nadine de Klerk. Amanjot Kaur contributed briefly, but the spotlight remained on Sciver-Brunt, who continued to dominate the RCB attack.

Boundaries came easily as Sciver-Brunt raced into the 90s. She reached her maiden T20 hundred and the first-ever century in WPL history in the penultimate over with a single through long-off, finishing her innings unbeaten on 100 off 57 balls. Although Amanjot was dismissed by Shreyanka Patil, MI concluded their innings at 199/4, marking the highest total at the venue this season.

Brief scores:

Mumbai Indians 199/4 in 20 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 100 not out, Hayley Matthews 56; Lauren Bell 2-21, Shreyanka Patil 1-34) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.