Sophie Ecclestone chose to run out Nat Sciver-Brunt over Hayley Matthews in a WPL match between UP Warriorz and Mumbai Indians today (February 27), throwing to the keeper’s end with both batters out of their ground.

Matthews was nearing her half-century when the incident happened, having hit a boundary off the third ball of Ecclestone’s over to reach 47. Sciver-Brunt’s threat was building at the other end, having hit 19 runs off her first 14 balls. After UP Warriorz were able to limit the runs in the first part of the powerplay, boundaries were beginning to flow for Mumbai, 74 runs coming off the previous eight overs.

Ecclestone bowled a short-ish ball coming into off stump to Matthews, which she played away into the off side. Matthews set off for a single immediately, with Sciver-Brunt momentarily hesitating before scrambling down the wicket. Two fielders converged on the ball between cover and point, with the ball being thrown to Ecclestone at the bowler’s end. As the fielder gathered the ball, Matthews stopped midway down the pitch and looked to turn back. Sciver-Brunt continued to run through, only stopping as she saw Matthews turn around.

The ball was thrown into Ecclestone before the batters had crossed with Sciver-Brunt well down the pitch. Seeing the ball come in, Matthews changed her mind again and tried to cross over with Sciver-Brunt, so that if Ecclestone took the bails off it would be her who was run out. However, instead of opting to take the bails off and run out Matthews, Ecclestone threw the ball to Alyssa Healy at the keeper’s end. By the time Healy gathered the ball, Matthews had run past Sciver-Brunt in an attempt to sacrifice herself.

But, her efforts to make sure Sciver-Brunt stayed in backfired with Healy taking the bails off. Because the two batters had crossed, Sciver-Brunt was actually running to the danger end, and had to depart for 19.

Ecclestone was praised for her presence of mind in choosing to run out the dangerous Sciver-Brunt.

Amazing play from Sophie Ecclestone in the WPL. Hayley Matthews tried to sacrifice herself by running to the non-striker's end with her and Nat Sciver-Brunt both stranded after a mix-up, but Ecclestone out-smarted her and threw to the keeper to dismiss NSB. Such quick thinking

— Ben Gardner (@Ben_Wisden) February 28, 2024

Brilliant presence of mind from Sophie Ecclestone:

– A mix-up occurs between Hayley Matthews and Nat Sciver-Brunt.
– Matthews attempts to sacrifice her wicket for the captain.
– Sophie Ecclestone throws the ball to the keeper and dismisses Nat Sciver-Brunt.

📸: Jio Cinema pic.twitter.com/YipGwsnVr7

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) February 28, 2024

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