In a crucial playoff battle, the UP Warriorz found themselves in the position of having to bowl first after Beth Mooney, the captain of the Gujarat Giants, won the toss. The Giants started off well with a 60-run partnership and Beth Mooney reaching her fifty, holding a steady course through the middle overs.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Sophie Ecclestone unleashed her bowling prowess, celebrating in a unique manner by pointing towards the captain.
In the 18th over, Ecclestone, the left-arm orthodox spinner, delivered an off-spinner near the off stump, tempting Kathryn Bryce to sweep against the line. Bryce’s attempt resulted in a top-edge, sending the ball looping towards the short fine leg where Chamari Athapaththu made an easy catch.
Just four balls later, Ecclestone sent down a fuller delivery near the off stump, exploiting the angle to deceive Tanuja Kanwar’s attempted lap shot. Kanwar’s shuffle across the line only led to her being beaten on the inside edge, with the ball crashing into the stumps.
— Grahman (@Grahman326048) March 11, 2024
Following both dismissals, Ecclestone expressed her gratitude towards Mooney by gesturing a heart emoticon with both hands, acknowledging the faith the skipper had placed in her.
