The first edition of the Women’s Premier League was a blockbuster affair with Mumbai Indians winning the title. The most popular franchise defeated Delhi Capitals in the final to script a historic victory. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was a star for her side due to her fine performance in the league.
Undoubtedly, there were some spectacular performers from India in this league. Still, it won’t be wrong if we say that the recently concluded tournament went in favour of overseas players for their magical performances. Today, let us take a glance at the top five overseas players from WPL 2023:
#5 Amelia Kerr
With 15 wickets from 10 games, New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr impressed everyone with her bowling. The leg-break bowler, who played for Mumbai Indians, ended the tournament with an average of 14 which is outstanding in the Indian conditions. Kerr was also terrific in the final with 2 wickets for 18 runs that ended the hopes of Delhi Capitals.
Being with a squad like Mumbai, Kerr would surely learn from here especially when she has few of the biggest names in the franchise. Her best performance in the tournament came against Royal Challengers Bangalore when she picked up 3 wickets for only 22 runs.
#4 Sophie Ecclestone
Sophie Ecclestone celebrating after picking up a wicket in the WPL
One of the top players from England, Sophie Ecclestone proved why she is the finest left-arm orthodox bowler currently. She picked up 16 wickets in the league at an average of around 15 with one four-fer to her name.
Ecclestone played for UP Warriorz in the tournament and helped UP win on multiple occasions. Unfortunately, the spinner from England couldn’t help her side win the title but she surely made her fans proud with her performance. Her four wickets for 13 runs against RCB was one of the finest performances in the tournament.
#3 Meg Lanning
One of the renowned names in women’s cricket, Australia’s Meg Lanning has earned praise from everyone in the cricketing fraternity. She has always performed on crucial occasions and did not forget her duty in the first edition of the league as well. The Australian star was a top-scorer in the WPL with 345 runs at an average of around 50. She scored two half-centuries in the tournament and scored runs in almost every game for her team.
The Delhi Capitals skipper was playing well in the finale as well before getting run out by Amanjot Kaur of Mumbai Indians. Meg Lanning’s fine performance throughout was one of the reasons behind Delhi’s success in the league and the skipper would want to keep the same momentum in the next edition too.
#2 Nat Sciver-Brunt
Nat Sciver-Brunt scored a match-winning knock for Mumbai Indians in the final
Another English superstar makes the cut into the list with her splendid show in the WPL. Sciver-Brunt scored 332 runs in 10 matches to showcase her ability in the top league. She was magnificent in the final with an unbeaten 60 off 55 balls to help Mumbai win the battle. She was named the player of the match for her magnificent show in the final.
Her knock of 72 in the eliminator against UP Warriorz was also a top innings in the tournament as she guided MI to a spectacular victory. Sciver-Brunt is a big-match player and has performed for her side on a consecutive basis this year.
On the bowling front, the right-arm medium pacer was equally good by picking up 10 wickets in 10 matches with an impressive average of 22. Her best figure was 3 for 21 runs against Gujarat Giants in the 12th match of the tournament.
#1 Hayley Matthews
The player of the series of the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League, Hayley Matthews was excellent throughout the tournament. When it comes to T20 cricket, it is never a doubt that a West Indian could be the best of all.
The all-rounder from West Indies scored 271 runs in the league at a strike rate of around 130. Her power-packed big hits were the highlights of the tournament with a fine sound of her willow. Her innings of 77 runs off a mere 38 deliveries outclassed RCB in a typical West-Indian style.
In bowling, she was the top-wicket taker of the tournament with 16 wickets at an average of around 12. The off-break bowler was too economical in the league that she did not allow Delhi Capitals to score runs in the important final.
The all-rounder gave away only 5 runs in her four overs and picked up 3 crucial wickets. Kieron Pollard used to contribute in crunch games with both bat and ball for Mumbai Indians and Hayley Matthews has done the same for the franchise in the inaugural WPL season.