Shafali Verma had a combined bag within the Hundred © ECB/The Hundred
Shafali Verma will miss Birmingham Phoenix’s Hundred eliminator in opposition to Oval Invincibles on Friday after returning residence forward of India’s tour to Australia.
Verma arrived within the UK in early June, impressing throughout India’s multi-format sequence in opposition to England after which enjoying for Phoenix since mid-July. Smriti Mandhana, the opposite Indian participant whose group has certified for the Hundred’s knockout levels, had already left so as to spend time along with her household forward of September’s tour.
Verma has had a combined competitors. She solely handed 25 in a single innings, however that knock of 76 not out off 42 balls led them to victory in opposition to Welsh Fire and began a profitable run that noticed them into the knockout levels.
“I really enjoyed playing with this great group of people in the Hundred,” she posted on Instagram. “Friendships and memories that will last forever. Best of luck for the remainder of the tournament.”
Amy Jones, Phoenix’s captain, admitted that Verma was a giant loss however mentioned that they’d sufficient squad depth to cowl for her absence.
“Obviously Shafali was hitting her straps and we saw how dangerous she is against Welsh Fire so she is a big loss for us,” Jones mentioned. “But we’re very fortunate in that the women who’ve been working the drinks in Marie Kelly, Thea [Brookes] and Ria [Fackrell] are all very highly effective hitters and are high quality cricketers.
“They’ve been very unlucky not to get a game, to be honest. They’re definitely good enough to be playing in the tournament. It opens up a big opportunity for one of them to slot in. I’m sure there will be a bit of nerves around coming straight into a big game but I know all three of them would be more than ready to slot into the team.”
Phoenix reached the eliminator thanks to three consecutive wins, having seemed useless and buried earlier within the group stage, and Jones mentioned that she hoped her aspect may lengthen that run into the knockouts.
“To win three in a row is brilliant and we can feel that momentum,” she mentioned. “Going into this recreation tomorrow I believe all of us want to do not forget that we have mainly performed in three knockout, must-win video games, and take confidence from that.
“If I used to be enjoying for a unique group, I would not need to play us in the intervening time. We have to do not forget that and take loads of confidence from that going into it.
“I think we’ve seen throughout the tournament lots of close games. The outcomes have been unpredictable and that has kept everyone engaged. No-one really walked it – the Brave have obviously had a really good tournament but they have been challenged.”
Matt Roller is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @mroller98
©
ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
