India all-rounder Harmanpreet Kaur had a mixed day in the office on Saturday for Sydney Thunder. While she could only muster eight runs with the bat, the 28-year-old made amends with a spectacular effort on the field, diving forward full stretch in what was the last ball of the match.
In what was first match of the season, the home side were in trouble with Rachel Priest, Alex Blackwell and Stafanie Taylor making quick exits to the dressing room. Harmanpreet struggled to get her trademark big hits going and was run out, leaving her side tottering at 41/4. Rachael Haynes’ fifty and Nicola Carey’s big hitting took the Thunder to a formidable 200.
Despite Jessica Duffin and Chamari Athapaththu’s best efforts, Melbourne Renegades fell short by 11 runs in the run chase. Amidst all the big hitting, the catching also stood out on the opening day of the WBBL.
Amy Sattherthwaite’s lofted straight drive off Taylor in the last ball of the match looked destined to hit the floor. Harmanpreet, fielding at long off, ran a few metres forward, dived full length and pouched the ball. Once again, India’s Twenty20 International skipper left her mark in the competition with a telling contribution.
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