Not the start MI London were hoping for as Sunrisers Leeds picked up an opening day win. Hayley Matthews and Danni Wyatt-Hodge showed sparks early on but were unable to convert the good starts into massive scores, and the team found themselves on the wrong side of the result as Sunrisers Leeds bagged a seven wickets win.
Matthews and Wyatt-Hodge got off to a flying start, getting a quick 56-run opening partnership in 37 balls. Both played their typical aggressive brand of cricket in a format that demands to be fearless. Matthews was smashing it before Deepti Sharma’s caught and bowled effort sent her back to the pavilion after a good 33(22), aced with four fours and one six. After 50 balls, MI London was well placed at 68/1. Danni ultimately perished on 29(22) as Cassidy McCarthy took a stunning catch to dismiss the batter.
Sunrisers Leeds bowlers never allowed the MI London batters to build massive partnerships. Just when they saw one was developing, they applied the brakes to clinch key wickets. In the process Deepti Sharma snapped up 2/20 in 15 balls while Danielle Gibson picked 2/17 in her 15 balls.
MI London ended with 107/8 in 100 balls.
MI London came out with positive intent to restrict their opponents. Opener Bryony Smith perished on 4, while Jonassen fell short of her crease and was run out by Henry/Chathli on 14(8). With 24/2 in 18 balls, the Orange Army found themselves on the backfoot.
Phoebe Litchfield soaked in all the pressure and kept smashing the ball in her arc. She accelerated and kept the scoreboard ticking, for a 26-ball 43.
It was Annabel Sutherland who stayed till the end to get her side over. Her crucial unbeaten 30 runs came in just 23 balls, with one four and a six.
MI London did try their best during the opening encounter of the Hundred, but alas, it wasn’t meant to be as Sunrisers Leeds won by seven wickets.
