‘They’re going to be sending you a bill’: Perry makes a smash at India’s WPL

Ellyse Perry has literally smashed her way to a half-century as Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated UP Warriorz by 23 runs in India’s Women’s Premier League.

The Australian thrilled their fans in Bengaluru, making 58 off 37 balls, including four towering sixes, one of which smashed the rear window of a sponsor’s car mounted on a stage behind the boundary.

“She’s got a hold of this again,” the commentator called as the ball sailed through the air.

“She’s smashed a window of the Tata Punch.EV; straight through. Ellyse Perry, they’re going to be sending you a bill.”

In response, Warriorz skipper Alyssa Healy cracked a swift half-century herself. But after she was stumped off Sophie Molineux, UP’s victory chase gradually subsided.

The result moved RCB, playing their final match in front of a home crowd before the event moves to Delhi, to six points, equal top with last year’s finalists Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals, and two ahead of UP.

The rear window of a sponsor’s car was smashed when Ellyse Perry smashed a ball into it while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the WPL.Credit: X

“It is the best atmosphere I have consistently played in front of in my entire career,” said Perry.

“I had a great chance to get myself in with Smriti [Mandhana] at the other end, and then it was nice at the end to release a few.”

On breaking the car window she added, half-joking: “I was a bit worried. I’m not sure I have insurance over here to cover me. So in a bit of strife there.”

Healy put RCB into bat, but the move backfired with Mandhana and Sabbhineni Meghana cracking 57 off the first 32 balls before the latter holed out for a 21-ball 28. That brought in Perry to the crease, and she initially played second fiddle to Mandhana in a partnership of 95 from 64 balls.

After Mandhana perished for 80 off 50 balls, Perry cut loose.

She had already hit Grace Harris (0-25) for six, and proceeded to hit successive sixes off Rajeshwari Gayakwd, then clouted Deepti Sharma into the sponsor’s car at deep mid-wicket.

Perry was finally out in the last over, caught in the deep off Sophie Ecclestone as RCB made a challenging 3-198.

When Healy played out a maiden in the first over, it looked as if the Australian skipper, who had missed stumping Mandhana on 29, was set for a horror night, but then she found her range.

Off the next 31 balls Healy, visibly fired up by a controversial lbw decision gained on video review by Georgia Wareham (2-38) against Chamari Athapaththu, smote 55 with three sixes. But at 4-113, Molineux (2-29) deceived her in flight and Healy was stumped.

Grace Harris had already departed, brilliantly caught behind the stumps for five.

Though Sharma (33) and Poonam Khemnar kept the chase going for a while, the Warriorz ended well short on 8-175, with Molineux yorking the latter off the last ball.

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