Indian opening batswoman Smriti Mandhana equaled the record for fastest fifty in Women's T20 history as her side, Western Storm defeated Loughborough Lightning in a match which was reduced due to rain on Sunday, July 29, 2018. The rain wasn't going to stop at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton for a long time as the match referee and umpires reduced the match to a six-over each side affair.
Western Storm defeated Loughborough Lightning
Western Storm was put into bat after losing the toss, as Smriti Mandhana showed signs of aggression through the entire innings and brought up her fifty in the sixth and last over of her team's innings.
During the innings, it was the fourth over in which the momentum shifted towards the Western Storm, as Smriti smashed two fours and a six off the bowling of Kirstie Gordon, who ended up conceding 15 runs in that over.
What an incredible innings on KSL debut from Smriti Mandhana! 48 from just 20 balls!
— Western Storm (@WesternStormKSL) July 22, 2018
Some amazing shots here! 💥💥#StormTroopers 🌪️ 🌪 @mandhana_smriti @sachin_rt @BCCIWomen @Anya_shrubsole @legsidelizzy @ECB_cricket @SGanguly99 @VVSLaxman281 @harbhajan_singh pic.twitter.com/JW2dkDzw6C
Smriti Mandhana equals the record
The stylish batsman from Mumbai, Mandhana carried her great form in the 2018 Kia Women's Super League, as she had scored 48 and 37 in previous two matches.
Mandhana also holds the record of the most number of sixes in this tournament so far, 11 after the result of the game on Sunday.
She finished with 52 runs off 19 balls striking at 274, with five fours and four amazing sixes. Mandhana's brought her fifty in just 18 balls which tied her with New Zealand's Sophie Devine who had accomplished the same effort in 2015.
Western Storm ended their innings with 85 runs in their designated six overs.
ICYMI: Smriti Mandhana hit the joint-fastest fifty in women's T20s https://t.co/whj8LL7xrB pic.twitter.com/3QByw7HLda
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) July 30, 2018
With an uphill task on their hands, the opening batswomen of Lightning, Rachael Haynes, and Sophie Devine tried to put some pressure on the bowling side, however, the required rate was just too high for them to achieve.
The duo stayed unbeaten but could manage only 67 runs in their allotted six overs of batting, falling short of the total by 18 runs. With this victory, Western Storm climbed onto nine points, progressing past the Lightning with an additional point beneath their band.
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