Trent Rockets skipper Ashleigh Gardner revealed why she opted to bowl Samantha Bates against Smriti Mandhana instead of taking on the India opener herself during Rockets’ emphatic 31-run win over Manchester Super Giants in the ongoing Women’s Hundred in Manchester.
Powered by half-centuries from Sophia Dunkley (57 off 33) and Sophie Luff (51 off 26), along with Georgia Adams’ unbeaten 20 off 13, the Rockets posted a challenging 153/8.
As the Super Giants began the chase, all eyes were on the expected battle between Mandhana and Gardner, given the Australian all-rounder’s impressive record against the Indian opener. Across international and franchise cricket, Mandhana has often struggled against Gardner’s off-spin.
It was, therefore, expected that Gardner would introduce herself early in a bid to dismiss Mandhana, who came into the game fresh from an unbeaten match-winning 88 in the previous fixture.
Instead, after Kim Garth bowled the opening five balls, Gardner handed the ball to left-arm spinner Samantha Bates. The move initially raised a few eyebrows, but it paid immediate dividends. Bates bowled a delivery outside off that stayed low, Mandhana missed her shot, and wicketkeeper Beth Mooney completed the stumping to dismiss the southpaw for just four.
The early breakthrough proved crucial as Manchester Super Giants were eventually bowled out for 122, suffering their first defeat of the season.
Bates and Charley Phillips claimed two wickets apiece, while Georgia Adams took one. Gardner then finished with outstanding figures of 4/16 from 18 balls, her best bowling figures in Women’s Hundred history.
Explaining the tactical move after the match, Gardner said: “So matchups are always key. You would expect me to bowl to Mandhana but she wouldn’t have faced Batesy at all. So just a little bit different. Batesy has the skills. You obviously have so much stats and vision that you go to, but I think for us, yeah, having someone a little bit different, is great. So she’s getting her reward now and it’s super pleasing to see.”
Notably, this is Bates’ first Women’s Hundred season. The left-arm spinner has made an immediate impact, picking up six wickets in four matches so far.
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