The WPL’s lengthy wait for a century was eventually ended on Monday, January 26 when Nat Sciver-Brunt of the Mumbai Indians defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru by a dominant 199 for 4, becoming the tournament’s first-ever hundred.
She stabilised the innings before seizing total control after coming in early at 16 for 1 in the third over. She and opener Hayley Matthews put together a match-defining 131-run partnership off 73 balls, setting the stage for a significant total. Mumbai accelerated dramatically in the last overs, continuing the assault with a quick 42-run partnership with captain Harmanpreet Kaur off only 25 balls.
“Yeah, I didn’t want to repeat what I had witnessed happen to a few players in the 1990s. However, I also wanted to help the team score as many runs as I could. After the innings, Nat Sciver-Brunt commented, “I’m really happy both personally and that we were able to reach that total.”
After carefully chipping Shreyanka Patil over the infield in the last over, she hoisted her first T20 century and revelled in the moment. With her signature “T” celebration, a deep homage to her son Theodore Michael, and a genuine gesture towards her wife, Katherine Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sciver-Brunt removed her helmet to appreciate the thunderous applause.
“A small nudge towards home. Clearly, Katherine is observing—at least she hopes so. She’s probably not watching because she’s a very anxious spectator, but she wanted me to obtain three figures and a “T,” so here we go. Sciver-Brunt remarked, “I’m really happy to get over that milestone, and hopefully it’s not the last. I guess it’s my first T20 hundred.”
The all-rounder acknowledged that she always enjoys batting with Hayley Matthews and looks forward to it whenever the chance presents itself.
Nat Sciver-Brunt returned to the top of the season’s run charts with her historic century.
“Yes, without a doubt. After a lengthy injury layoff, Hayley will be overjoyed to return and get that kind of score. When I get the chance, I really like batting with her,” Sciver-Brunt said.
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