Ecclestone first smashed 33 off 19, including 17 runs in the final over, to stretch the game into the Super Over. She then gave away just four singles while defending eight runs to help UP Warriorz win the Super Over
Sophie Ecclestone's conceded just four in the Super Over while defending eight runs as UP Warriorz rode on the English left-arm spinner's all-round brilliance to steal a win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the first ever Women's Premier League match which went into Super Over. (Live Blog | Full Coverage | More Cricket News)
The Engand star first smashed 33 off 19, including 17 runs in the final over, to stretch the game into the Super Over. She then gave away just four singles while defending eight runs to help UP Warriorz win the Super Over. Before that, the left-arm spinner was also the most economical bowler for her side.
Earlier, RCB had been asked to bat first by UP Warriorz captain Deepti Sharma after she won the toss.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women Playing XI: Smriti Mandhana(c), Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Ellyse Perry, Raghvi Bist, Richa Ghosh(w), Kanika Ahuja, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth, Sneh Rana, Ekta Bisht, Renuka Singh Thakur
UP Warriorz Women Playing XI: Kiran Navgire, Vrinda Dinesh, Deepti Sharma(c), Tahlia McGrath, Shweta Sehrawat, Grace Harris, Chinelle Henry, Uma Chetry(w), Sophie Ecclestone, Saima Thakor, Kranti Goud
RCB lost their captain Smriti Mandhana cheaply as she was bowled by opposition skipper Deepti Sharma in the fourth over. In-form Perry then joined Dannielle Wyatt-Hodge at the crease and the duo started slow before exploding later. Wyatt-Hodge was dismissed for 57 off 41 balls in the 15th over, triggering a flurry of wickets. However, Perry was unbothered and kept finding the fence. With nine fours and three sixes, the Australian star finished unbeaten at 90 to power RCB to 180/6.
Chasing 181, UPW were off to flier with Kiran Navgire taking the lead. Navgire raced to 24 in no time before being dismissed by Renuka Thakur who struck twice in the powerplay to remove both UPW openers. Deepti Sharma scored a quick 25 while Shweta Sehrawat chipped in with a crucial 31 to keep the scoreboard clicking. However, Sneh Rana struck thrice in the middle overs to help RCB edge ahead in the game.
The game seemed over when 18 runs were required in the last over with the last batting pair on the crease. However, Sophie Ecclestone dispatched Renuka for 16 runs in the first four balls to reduce the equation to run-a-ball for the last two balls. However, Richa Ghosh effected a last-ball run out from behind the wickets to stretch the game into the Super Over.
UP Warriorz now have back-to-back wins while RCB succumbed to their second straight defeat in the tournament.