Sophie Ecclestone chose to run out Nat Sciver-Brunt over Hayley Matthews in a WPL match between UP Warriorz and Mumbai Indians today (February 27), throwing to the keeper’s end with both batters out of their ground.
Matthews was nearing his half-century when the incident occurred after he hit a boundary with the third ball of Ecclestone’s over to reach 47. Shiver Brandt hit 19 runs off the first 14 balls before the threat for the opposition increased. After UP Warriors managed to restrict runs in the first half of the powerplay, Mumbai started to hit the limit and in his last eight overs he scored 74 runs.
Ecclestone played a short ball to Matthews’ off stump, but Matthews was offside. Matthews immediately started hitting singles, but Siver-Brant hesitated for a moment before scrambling down the wicket. Two fielders approached the ball between cover and point and the ball was thrown to Ecclestone on the bowler’s side. When a fielder retrieved the ball, Matthews stopped in the middle of the pitch and attempted to turn back. Shiver-Brant continued running, only to stop when he saw Matthews turn around.
The ball was thrown into Ecclestone before the batsman intersected with Siver Brunt well down the pitch. Matthews changed his mind when he saw the ball coming in and tried to cross with Siver-Brant, knowing that if Ecclestone missed his support he would be thrown off the field. However, Ecclestone did not choose to remove his seatbelt and force Matthews out, instead throwing the ball to Alyssa Healy on the goalkeeper’s side. When Healy won the ball, Matthews tried to sacrifice himself by running past Siver-Brant.
However, their efforts to ensure Shiver Brandt remained failed when Healy was released on bail. With two batters crossing paths, Shiver’s blunt actually ran in a dangerous direction and had to be dismissed on 19 pitches.
Ecclestone was praised for his calmness in deciding to fend off a dangerous cyber-blunt.
Amazing play from Sophie Ecclestone in the WPL. Hayley Matthews tried to sacrifice herself by running to the non-striker’s end with her and Nat Sciver-Brunt both stranded after a mix-up, but Ecclestone out-smarted her and threw to the keeper to dismiss NSB. Such quick thinking
– Ben Gardner (@Ben_Wisden) 28. February 2024
Brilliant presence of mind from Sophie Ecclestone:
– A mix-up occurred between Haley Matthews and Nat Silver Blunt.
– Matthews tried to sacrifice his wicket for the captain.
– Sophie Ecclestone throws the ball to the keeper and sends off Nat Silver – Blunt.📸: Geo Cinema pic.twitter.com/YipGwsnVr7
– CricTracker (@Cricketracker) 28. 2024 年 2 月
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