Indian superstar Harmanpreet Kaur has led the Melbourne Renegades to a stunning win after finishing 73 not out during an intense run chase.
After South African guns Dane van Niekerk (62 from 47 balls) and Laura Wolvaardt (47 from 35) led the Adelaide Strikers to a big first-innings total of 160, the pressure was put on the Renegades to come up with something special.
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The task became even more difficult when Renegades opener Evelyn Jones departed with just three runs from 15 balls faced.
But courtesy of a brilliant solo effort from Kaur, who faced only 46 deliveries but blasted five sixes and three fours, the Renegades notched their fourth win in a row.
They did it with two balls remaining and six wickets up their sleeve.
“I was not putting too much pressure on myself. I know if I stay until the end we can chase this total, and I have done this quite (a few times) in my life,” Kaur said post-match.
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“We were just very positive.
“In games like that you need to pick the ball and who you want to attack.”
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South African cricket great Morne Morkel said Kaur displayed “absolute class” during the run chase.
“They were slightly behind after the power play… An absolute batting masterclass by Harmanpreet Kaur,” Morkel said in commentary for Fox Cricket.
“I don’t think the Strikers bowled badly; it was just a fantastic batting display by Harmanpreet Kaur.
“She showed absolute class, playing on a sub-continent wicket and just the experience of going – if the ball is in my area, I’m going to go and take the fielders on.
“It was great to see.”
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