Smriti became the first Indian woman to score a century in the Big Bash. In addition, Smriti Manthana became the first Indian woman batswoman to score two centuries in T20 cricket after Mithali Raj. Smriti became the first woman to score a century in all three formats of women’s cricket after Australian Ellyse Perry. Soumriti also bagged the highest individual score in the Women’s Big Bash yesterday.
Although Smriti scored a century and a handful of records, he was unable to lead his team to victory. Smriti Manthana’s side lost to Sydney Thunders by four runs against the Renegades. Batting first, the Renegades scored 175 for four in 81 overs off another Harmanpreet Kaur’s half-century (81 * off 55 balls) while the Sydney Thunders were bowled out for 171 for two in 20 overs.
A beautiful innings!
Congratulations, @mandhana_smriti ???? #WBBL07 pic.twitter.com/Jwo4E1fN3X
— Weber Women’s Big Bash League (@WBBL) November 17, 2021
The Thunders followed in the footsteps of Smriti’s innings and set up the Renegades’ target but were unable to raise the run rate in the final overs. The Thunders were on the defensive when the batsmen on the other side could not find the rhythm, though the memory was shattered at one end. The Sydney Thunders needed just 13 runs in the final over to win by eight runs. Smriti was on strike in the last ball of the over bowled by Harmanpreet Kaur but could only manage one run in the space of six runs. Manthana was unbeaten on 114 off 64 balls with 14 fours and three sixes. Smriti took 33 balls to reach the half-century in the match and the next half-century came from 24 balls.
Batting first, Renegades’ Harmanpreet Kaur’s innings helped Evelyn Jones (42 off 33 balls) and Jesse Daphne (33 off 22 balls) to top the innings.
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