Trailblazers crush Velocity in game 2 of Women’s T20 Challenge 2020
Team Velocity walked into the game against the Trailblazers full of confidence after their opening day victory over the Supernovas in the Women’s T20 Challenge 2020. However, what transpired in game 2 was something that nobody in purple saw coming.
Also Read: Mansi Joshi tested positive for COVID-19; to miss Women’s T20 Challenge
Bowled out for a paltry 47 in the just 15.1 overs, the match was over as a contest even before the Trailblazers had come out to bat. With 13 runs, Shafali Verma was the highest scorer for the Velocity. In fact, other than Verma, only Shikha Pandey (10) and Leigh Kasperek (11 Not Out) managed to get into double figures.
For the Trailblazers, slow left-arm orthodox Englishwoman Sophie Ecclestone produced a player of the match performance by picking up 4 wickets while giving away just 9 runs in her 3.1 overs. Legendary Indian bowler Jhulan Goswami and slow left-armer Rajeshwari Gayakwad picked up 2 wickets each.
The chase for the Trailblazers was as smooth as a riding on a highway. They reached their target of 48 runs losing just the one wicket of their captain Smriti Mandhana for 6. West Indian Deandra Dottin (29 Not Out) and Richa Ghosh (13 Not Out) knocked off the target in 7.5 overs leading the Trailblazers to a crushing 9 wicket victory.
Velocity had the perfect start to the day when their captain Mithali Raj won the toss and decided to bat at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. After a long cricketing season, the pitch was expected to play slow but nobody thought that Velocity would capitulate in the manner that they did. While some Velocity fans might put this down to their team having to play 2 games in 2 days, the players themselves, especially the experienced ones like Raj and Kesperek, would have expected a much better performance. In her post match interview, the Velocity captain summed it up well when she said that for her team this was a ‘match to forget’.
With this resounding win, the Trailblazers now sit atop the Women’s T20 Challenge 2020 table before their game against the Supernovas. Baring a shocking performance in that match, the Trailblazers should be able to make it to the final, such is their net run rate now. Team Velocity, on the other hand, falls down to the second spot and will be hoping that the Trailblazers produce a performance akin to today against the Supernovas on November 7.
The final of the Women’s T20 Challenge 2020 will be played on November 9.
Featured image: Twitter IPL