The only athlete from the Associate Nations to pique the franchises’ attention at the auction table was left-arm seamer Tara Norris, a 24-year-old American.
At the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday, March 5, 2023, during the Women’s Premier League (WPL) Twenty20 cricket match between the Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore, Tara Norris and her teammates from the Delhi Capitals celebrate the dismissal of Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Disha Kasat.
Tara Norris of the Delhi Capitals became the first spinner to record a five-wicket haul in the Women’s Premier League on a bright Sunday afternoon in Mumbai. In addition to Ellyse Perry, Disha Kasat, Richa Ghosh, Kanika Ahuja, and England skipper Heather Knight, the 24-year-old left-arm seamer from the USA was in outstanding form. The Caps defeated the Royal Challengers Bangalore with ease thanks to Norris’ valiant efforts, winning by a score of 60 runs.
Given that it was Norris’ first T20 game, her performance was especially outstanding. Speaking about her incredible accomplishment, Norris acknowledged feeling anxious before the game, but she attributed her success to having well-defined plans. Norris, the lone representative of an associate country in the Women’s Premier League, expressed her delight at playing for both the USA and the associate teams. She also acknowledged the value of her performance in advancing cricket in associate nations and voiced a desire to honor them by performing well in the competition.
The USA player helped the Capitals win the game by taking the crucial wicket of Australian star all-rounder Ellyse Perry at a pivotal moment. Later, Norris took Disha Kasat’s, Richa Ghosh’s, and Kanika Ahuja’s wickets. In the end, she returned and fired England skipper Heather Knight.
The Capitals triumphed easily by 60 runs thanks to her five-wicket performance.
The 24-year-old is the sole representative of a partner country in the WPL.
“The Delhi Capitals are an outstanding squad, and this past week was incredible. I’m honored to serve both the associate team and the USA. I enjoyed the utter chaos of the first week.”
She added that she wanted to perform well in the WPL so that associate nations would be proud of her and that her performance would be a huge boost for them.
Regarding her five-wicket haul, she stated: “It was somewhat hazy. Although the plans were fairly obvious, I was initially quite anxious. Until someone informed me, I was unaware that it had been rectified. I am pleased because it is my first T20 cricket contest.”
With a twirl and a spin, the 24-year-old lady elucidated that her comrades and she planned to jubilate their triumph by performing a synchronized dance routine to a popular tune by Daler Mehendi. Even though the regulations permitted one player from an Associate Nation to join the squad with four foreign players, only the southpaw seamer, who was also 24, caught the attention of bidders at the auction.
Meg Lanning, the skipper of the Delhi Capitals, remarked that it was “good fun” to bat alongside Shafali Verma in the WPL. Against the RCB, Lanning and Verma put together a 162-run opening partnership.
Shafali Verma set the tone for the Delhi Capitals squad against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Women’s Premier League match, according to team captain Meg Lanning.
At Braves Stadium on Sunday, Lanning and Verma combined for a strong 162-run opening combination for the Capitals (March 5). The Capitals posted an impressive total of 223 thanks to Marizanne Kapp and Jemimah Rodrigues’ surge at the conclusion of their stand.
“We got off to a fantastic start. Playing baseball with Shafali was enjoyable. She acted as the team’s leader “”Lanning said.
Tara Norris, the first bowler to claim a five-wicket total in the WPL, and the Delhi Capitals’ fielding were both praised by Lanning, who recently guided Australia to their sixth Women’s T20 World Cup victory.
“On the pitch, everyone played very well. Likewise, I thought Tara was outstanding. She had great success bowling over stumps “”Lanning said.
