Lanning, Jonassen triumph in Australian WPL fight

The first head-to-head of Australian captains in the Women’s Premier League was won by Meg Lanning, whose Delhi Capitals team defeated Alyssa Healy’s UP Warriorz.

However, the Australian who shone the brightest was Tahlia McGrath, who hit a stunning 90 in a valiant attempt to secure an unlikely Warriorz win.

McGrath’s batting, the WPL’s highest to date, took just 50 balls, but she couldn’t stop the Capitals’ 42-carry win.

Lanning had led from the front, opening the bat and smashing a 42-ball 70. She was well assisted by fellow Australian Jess Jonassen, who hit an unbeaten 42 in 20 balls as Delhi Capitals finished 4-211 in their 20 overs.

Healy also opened, hitting her first two balls for four, but she became one of three wickets for official of the game Jonassen, who was dismissed for 24 balls from 17 balls.

“She definitely often hits me so well in the nets that I can overtake her,” said Jonassen. “It’s always fun to play against Australians.”

That was the first of three wickets in six balls that put the Warriorz response in deep trouble. Despite McGrath’s resistance, they failed to recover, finishing 5-169.

The prospect of Queensland’s Harris sisters playing each other did not materialize due to restrictions on how many overseas players could be fielded, with Capitals skipping Laura and Warriors Grace.

Lanning was seeded in Mumbai, failing to score in her first four deliveries and while scoring her fifth and seventh for limits, she had scored nine of her first 12 balls.

Then she drove Shabnim Ismail via Long-On for six and was ready for action. McGrath fired partner Shafali Verma with her third ball for 17, but Lanning was undeterred, flying a high-edged six for a 32-ball 50.

With Capitals 1-87 from nine overs and Lanning 53 after scoring 44 from the last 22 balls, rain intervened.

After a 20-minute break, play resumed but after hitting world No. 1 bowler Sophie Ecclestone for consecutive foursomes, Lanning was bowled by Rajeshwari Gayakwad.

After a 21-run ten-ball cameo from Alice Capsey, Jonassen and Jeminah Rodrigues (34 of 22) made the most of drop catches to add 58 from the last four overs. McGrath finished 1-37 from three overs.

Lanning, who is currently the tournament’s top scorer, said: “I’ve always loved opening in T20 cricket, I think it’s the best place to bat. I really enjoy batting in India.”

“It didn’t quite go to plan,” admitted Healy. “We gave away a few too many in the field. TMac (McGrath) was a lone hand with the bat. She was incredible.