WPL: Ecclestone helps UP pull off heist in Super Over

Sophie Ecclestone produced a superb all-round show to hand UP Warriorz a sensational win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the first-ever Super Over of the Women’s Premier League here on Monday.

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Sent in to bat, Ellyse Perry and Danni Wyatt-Hodge sparkled with the bat to guide RCB 180/6. Perry smashed an unbeaten 90 off 56 balls while opener Wyatt-Hodge made 57. But Ecclestone, who registered figures of 0/29, showed her prowess with the bat, scoring 33 off 19 balls to help UP Warriorz make a remarkable comeback and take the match to the Super Over.

UP Warriorz managed just eight runs in the Super Over bowled by Kim Garth.

The onus was then on RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh to chase down the target against Ecclestone but the English spinner came out on top, conceding just four runs.

“It was an amazing experience. I never get nervous to bowl and that is the first time (in the Super Over) I have been nervous (to bowl). A massive team effort,” said Ecclestone, who was named the Player of the Match.

UP captain Deepti Sharma was all praise for Ecclestone. “What a game of cricket. First time a Super Over in the WPL, felt really good. It was only possible because of Sophie’s batting. It was a good team effort, we were positive as a batting unit,” Deepti said.

On giving Ecclestone the ball for the Super Over, she said: “Had belief because she had bowled the 20th over (in the actual game) from that end. That is why she is one of the best bowlers in the world and today, she showed her character.”

Brief scores: Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 180/6 (Perry 90*, Wyatt-Hodge 57; Henry 1/34); UP Warriorz: 180 (Ecclestone 33, Sehrawat 31; Rana 3/27, Renuka 2/36).