WPL, MI vs GG | Twitter lauds Gardner's immediate impact after peach to dismiss explosive Matthews

03/04/2023

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The word 'gamechangers' has elevated to an entirely different level since the advent of T20s and no player defines it better than a certain Ashleigh Gardner. The all-rounder made a grand entry to the WPL and announced herself on the big stage by getting rid of Hayley Matthews with a jaffa.

Mumbai Indians got off to a strong start in the inaugural match of the Women's Premier League with a dominant batting performance despite being sent in to bat first by the Mumbai Indians. The visitors posted a mammoth total of 207/5 in their 20 overs, led by a blockbuster knock from skipper Harmanpreet Kaur worth 65 runs off just 30 deliveries. However, the target for the hosts could have been even bigger were it not for a rescue act by the number one all-rounder in the world, Ashleigh Gardner.

Caribbean opener Hayley Matthews was at her destructive best, having blazed her way to 47 off 30 deliveries when Gardner received the ball in the 10th over. On the last ball, the Australian delivered a quick delivery on length slightly outside off-stump, tempting Matthews into a backfoot drive. However, the ball spun back viciously to bamboozle the batter and hit the gap between her bat and pads. The West Indian was left disappointed on missing her half-century amidst wild celebrations alongside the disturbed stumps from Gujarat.

Twitter was left in awe of Gardner's impact and were quick to express their reactions on the social media platform.

Unexpected end!

pic.twitter.com/b0jAZ5Qtkh
— WPL MAHARASTRA (@WMaharastra) March 4, 2023

Just missed 50

A top innings from Hayley Matthews ends on 47 in 31 balls with 3 fours and 4 sixes!

Missed out on the first ever WPL fifty! pic.twitter.com/9EbOLjeLCK
— MI Fans Army™ (@MIFansArmy) March 4, 2023

Crazy knock

crazy knock from Hayley Matthews made those runs look easy#MIvGG
— Atish (@atishj7) March 4, 2023

First one for Gardner

Hayley Matthews GONE!😮

Ashleigh Gardner gets her first #WPL wicket.👏👏

MI: 77/3 (10)#GGvMI #WPL2023 #WPL #WPL2023 #TATAWPL #ProboOpinions
— Probo (@probo_india) March 4, 2023

Just MI things

- Hayley Matthews

- Nat Sciver-Brunt

- Harmanpreet Kaur

- Amelia Kerr

That is a star-studded middle order 🔥😍🤩❤️

Just Mumbai Indians things.#WPL2023 #CricketTwitter
— Broken Cricket Dreams Cricket Blog (@cricket_broken) March 4, 2023

First scalp

Gardner's first #WPL2023 scalp! 👏🏻

The dangerous Hayley Matthews departs!☝🏼#GGvMI #TATAWPL #BringItOn #GujaratGiants pic.twitter.com/AmGeDLABrF
— Gujarat Giants (@GujaratGiants) March 4, 2023

Knock to knock

Hayley Matthew what a knock to kick of #TATAWPL In style. West Indian & MI is a love story. Keep it coming 💙 #MIvGI
— Shakti Man 💥 (@IamShaktiMann) March 4, 2023

Entertaining innings

Hayley Matthews is bowled out for 47 by Ashleigh Gardner but this is an entertaining innings by her#WPL2023 #GGvMI pic.twitter.com/dCajBC9Qri
— Asheesh (@Asheesh00007) March 4, 2023

Great knock

Hayley Matthews was obviously gonna perform and absolutely chuffed for her but I'm scratching my head over the fact that she wasn't picked in first lot.🤷🏻‍♂️ #WPL2023
— Tanmay (@StanCric) March 4, 2023

Best one!