In the Women’s Premier League (WPL), partnerships define success, and for Mumbai Indians (MI), no duo has been more dominant than Hayley Matthews and Nat Sciver-Brunt. Their seamless combination of power and precision has repeatedly dismantled bowling attacks, making them one of the most dangerous batting pairs in the tournament.
Their brilliance was on full display in the Eliminator against Gujarat Giants (GG), where they stitched a stunning 133-run partnership for the second wicket. This game-changing stand powered MI to a record-breaking total of 213/4—their highest-ever in WPL history and the highest-ever total in WPL playoffs.
Hayley led the charge with a 50-ball 77, peppering the field with 10 fours and three sixes. She was aggressive from the start, cutting Ashleigh Gardner for four and taking full advantage of GG’s sloppy fielding, including a dropped catch when she was on five. Meanwhile, Nat was equally destructive, reaching her fifty in just 29 balls before finishing with a scintillating 77 off 41 deliveries, smashing 10 boundaries and two sixes.
GG’s bowlers had no answers as the duo dictated terms, finding gaps effortlessly and accelerating at will. Hayley reached her half-century in 36 balls, launching a six off Tanuja Kanwer to get to the milestone. Nat, in her typical composed style, used the leg side to her advantage and countered the bowlers with crisp drives and well-placed shots. Their partnership ended when Hayley edged behind off Kashvee Gautam, but by then, MI had already gained complete control of the innings.
This wasn’t the first time the pair dominated an opposition. Earlier in the tournament, against UP Warriorz (UPW), they replicated their magic, putting together another 133-run stand in MI’s successful chase of 143. Their partnership ensured MI wrapped up the match in just 17 overs, securing an emphatic eight-wicket win. This stand also became MI’s highest-ever partnership for any wicket in WPL history and the fifth-highest in the tournament overall.
To put their feat into perspective, only a few other pairs have stitched bigger stands in WPL history. Meg Lanning and Shafali Verma hold the record with their 162-run partnership against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2023, followed by Verma and Jess Jonassen’s unbeaten 146 against RCB in 2025. Beth Mooney and Laura Wolvaardt’s 140-run stand in 2024, again against RCB, ranks third, while Alyssa Healy and Devika Vaidya’s 139* against RCB in 2023 stands fourth.
Beyond the numbers, what makes Hayley and Nat’s partnership so special is their ability to complement each other’s game. Hayley’s aggressive backfoot play and sheer hitting power contrast perfectly with Nat’s technical brilliance and ability to manipulate the field. Their chemistry at the crease, ability to rotate strike, and relentless scoring make them a nightmare for bowlers.
With two 133-run partnerships in the same season, Hayley and Nat have firmly established themselves as the backbone of MI’s batting lineup.
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