Indian batter Smriti Mandhana showcased her outstanding skills in the women’s Hundred tournament as she powered Southern Brave to the highest total in the competition. With her blistering knock of 55 runs, Mandhana led her team to a commanding total of 157 runs in the match against Trent Rockets in Nottingham. Despite a valiant effort from Nat Sciver-Brunt, who scored 49 runs, the Rockets fell short and lost the game by 27 runs.
Mandhana, who had only one nets session after returning from India’s tour of Bangladesh, formed a formidable opening partnership with Danni Wyatt and Maia Bouchier. The left-right combination proved to be a challenge for the Rockets’ bowlers, as the Brave raced to 45 runs without losing a wicket in the powerplay.
Explaining her approach, Mandhana said, Initially, I didn’t know two or three bowlers, I had just watched their videos, so it was important for me to see them and how the wicket was playing, because I’ve just come off a tour from Bangladesh and the conditions were pretty different.
Wyatt fell victim to a brilliant catch by Sciver-Brunt off Bryony Smith’s bowling, but Bouchier continued the assault, scoring a quickfire 31 runs off just 18 balls. Mandhana took charge in the middle overs, attacking the Rockets’ spinners and hitting a six off Smith’s offbreak with a lofted shot back over her head. She reached her half-century off just 32 balls, and it seemed like the Brave would surpass their own record total in the women’s Hundred.
However, the Brave stumbled towards the end of their innings, losing five wickets for 29 runs off the last 22 balls. Despite the late slump, Chloe Tryon’s cameo of 23 runs from 10 balls helped the Brave maintain their momentum.
In response, the Rockets faced an early setback with Bryony Smith getting run-out by Lizelle Lee. chasing a daunting target of 158 runs, the presence of Sciver-Brunt and Harmanpreet Kaur in the middle order was not enough. The Rockets struggled to keep up with the required run rate, and the Brave emerged victorious by 27 runs.
The match showcased Mandhana’s brilliance and her partnership with Wyatt and Bouchier laid the foundation for the Brave’s success. With this high-scoring affair, the women’s Hundred tournament got off to an exciting start in Nottingham.
