1 May, 2008
McGrath turns back clock

The Delhi Daredevils have moved into second place in the Indian Premier League following a 10-run win against bottom-of-the-table Bangalore Royal Challengers.

Left-handed duo Gautam Gambhir (86) and Shikhar Dhawan (50) guided the hosts to an imposing 5-191 before some tight bowling from Antipodean rivals Glenn McGrath (4-29) and Daniel Vettori (1- 19) kept the visitors in check.

Jacques Kallis (54) top-scored for the Royal Challengers but he was unable to provide the late hitting required to secure victory.

After McGrath had taken three wickets inside the opening five overs to leave the visitors 3-48, Kallis and Dravid combined in an 87-run stand that relied on controlled aggression.

But their stand was broken when McGrath struck again as Dravid skied a catch to Sehwag in the covers with his team still needing 56 from 27 balls.

Kallis and Boucher got the target down to 35 runs from the final two overs, however, Vettori would frustrate their attempts as he conceded just five singles before bowling Kallis from his final delivery.

Boucher hit the first ball of Virender Sehwag's final over for six, but consecutive singles followed to end the Royal Challengers' hopes of victory.

Earlier, Gambhir and Sehwag took 53 from the opening five overs before their early onslaught was brought to an end by a brilliant piece of fielding by Ross Taylor, who threw down the stumps from point leaving Sehwag (24 off 12) well short of his ground.

Shikhar Dhawan joined Gambhir at the crease and the left-handed duo set about building a 98-run partnership with some heavy hitting.

The pair combined to take 18 from the 14th over, bowled by 37-year-old veteran spinner Sunil Joshi, with both batsman clearing the boundary.

Dhawan sent another ball into the stands in the next over from Kallis, but the South African earned some revenge when Dravid completed a spectacular catch to dismiss him for 50 from 33 balls.

Gambhir continued to find the boundary with regularity and when he coupled his dominance with a few choice words for Kallis, it took Dravid to intervene and avoid a potential flashpoint.

Gambhir fell soon after when he mis-timed a pull shot to Praveen Kumar at deep midwicket in the penultimate over from Zaheer Khan, but his innings would prove a match-winning one.

Havn't had any luck punting through this comp.

I haven't had a bet on cricket so far but maybe i might have my first bet in this tournament soon.

4 May, 2008
Kumble keeps his cool

Bangalore Royal Challengers produced a disciplined bowling display at the death to claim a three-run win over Deccan Chargers and move off the foot of the IPL table on Saturday.

The Royal Challengers claimed four wickets for just five runs in the space of nine balls to limit their opponents to 6-153 and record only their second win in IPL.

VVS Laxman and Rohit Sharma shared a stand of 96 - Sharma becoming the highest run-scorer in the IPL with 235 - but it was not enough as the Royal Challengers' total of 8-156 proved sufficient.

Praveen Kumar recorded figures of 3-23 and Zaheer Khan 2-24 before Sanjay Bangar hit two sixes off the final over from Anil Kumble to take the clash down to the final ball. But Kumble held his nerve to secure victory.

The Royal Challengers certainly had their bowling attack to thank for victory after earlier struggling to get the better of the Deccan spinners.

Wassim Jaffer and Virat Kohli shared a second-wicket partnership of 72 after Bharat Chipli (10) went early, but found it hard to cope with the loss of Jaffer for 44.

Jacques Kallis (six) and Kohli (38) were then deceived by the spin of Pragyan Ojha and RP Singh respectively in the space of four balls.

Misbah-ul-Haq (three) and Mark Boucher (16) also went cheaply, the former falling victim to a Shahid Afridi quicker delivery and Boucher slicing on to his stumps.

Rahul Dravid though offered some resistance towards the end of the innings, making Scott Styris pay for dropping him on 12 by cracking two maximums from the New Zealander's last over on his way to a rapid 26.

The Chargers started the run chase at a leisurely pace and Adam Gilchrist (10) was well caught by Jaffer right on the boundary rope as he looked to up the tempo.

Gibbs pulled a short delivery for four to get off the mark, but that was as good as it got for the South African before he was on his way back to the pavilion for six.

Sharma though continued his impressive form after a brief delay due to floodlight failure.

He clipped an effortless six off his pads and followed that shot up with two quickfire fours, one punched through square leg and the second cut past point, while Laxman played the spin of Kumble expertly.

But Sharma eventually holed out for 57 and Laxmen fell lbw to Kumar for 52 as the Royal Challengers' accurate and ecomonical bowling proved decisive.



4 May, 2008
Marsh makes his mark

Kings XI Punjab recorded a much-needed victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday, winning by nine runs after an early Kolkata collapse.

Having made 6-178 off their 20 overs, Punjab soon began dismantling the Kolkata batting order.

Sourav Ganguly went for just five, caught at third man off Sreesanth, and Mohammed Hafeez quickly followed for 13 when he was bowled by Irfan Pathan.

When Hodge was trapped lbw for just one, Kolkata was floundering at 3-25 and it got worse as Debabrata Das fell victim to Sreesanth for five.

Kolkata were scratching out runs, mainly in singles, but it was clear by the mid-point of their innings that the required run rate - hovering around 18 - was out of reach.

David Hussey (71) and Saha (59no) restored some pride with a sixth-wicket partnership of 104, but it was too little too late.

Punjab set themselves up for victory with a scrappy innings.

Shaun Marsh was the high scorer with 40, but it was the quick-hitting of his team-mates that was the secret to Punjab's success.

James Hopes smashed four fours from the first 11 balls his faced on his return, but was caught by Brad Hodge from the 12th.

Kumar Sangakkara came in but was soon struggling after swinging awkwardly at a delivery, and he retired hurt in the sixth over.

Yuvraj Singh followed with an explosive but brief appearance, hitting 14 off three balls before he was stumped off the next delivery for 17.

Wicketkeeper Prasanta Saha claimed another victim, stumping Marsh, soon after.

Ganguly saved Umar Gul for the later stages and got quick reward as he got the wicket of Mahela Jayawardene, out for 10 off Gul's second delivery. The paceman surrendered only one run from an excellent first over.

After receiving treatment, Sangakkara re-emerged but saw his partner Karan Goel run out for six.

Sangakkara was eventually bowled by Gul, but ended a dogged effort with a respectable 28.

Piyush Chawla came into swing the bat with free abandon, and he accounted for 20 of the 21 runs Punjab scored off the final over, reaching his total of 21 off just seven balls.

5 May, 2008
Pollock winds back the clock

Veteran all-rounder Shaun Pollock wound back the years to inspire Mumbai Indians to a 29-run win over Delhi Devils on Sunday which lifted them off the foot of the IPL table.

The South African cracked a rapid 33 with the bat before claiming figures of 2-16 from his four overs as Mumbai surprised the tournament leaders.

The hosts' total of 8-162 had looked very achievable for a Delhi side which had won four times in the IPL going into the clash, but they hadn't reckoned on Pollock at his economical best.

Virender Sehwag's quickfire 40 was as good as it got for the Daredevils, who were bowled out for 133 inside 19 overs in reply.

Pollock's fellow quick Ashish Nehra finished with 3-25.

The right-hand left-hand combination of Mumbai openers Yogesh Takawale and Sanath Jayasuriya looked threatening after a slow start, the latter racing to 34 off just 16 balls, hitting Vijaykumar Yomahesh for 10 runs in just two balls.

But the over then took a glorious turn for the Delhi bowler as first Takawale (14) threw his wicket away, a thick outside edge falling kindly for Pradeep Sangwan at third man, and then Jayasuriya was clean bowled.

Robin Uthappa (22 off 21) and Dominic Thornley (30 off 24) threatened to cut loose, the former looking in especially good nick until he needlessly attempted a cheeky flick which did not come off.

Thornley fell after he was deceived by a great change of pace from Rajat Bhatia to prompt the loss of three wickets for just three runs as Mumbai slipped from 3-109 to 6-112.

Only Pollock offered some resistance towards the end of the innings as he bludgeoned two maximums on his way to 33 from just 15 balls before holing out in the final over.

Mumbai though made early inroads with the ball to leave its opponents floundering at 2-4, Nehra removing Gautam Gambhir (one) and Pollock getting rid of Shikhar (one).

Virender Sehwag steadied the ship with a rapid 40 from just 20 balls - one of the highlights a monster cut over point for six - until he spooned a Thornley delivery straight to Pollock.

The South African also had Shoaib Malik (24 off 22) caught in the deep by Abhishek Nayar to finish with an economy rate of just four.

Dinesh Karthik's 28 revived Delhi's hopes, but Nehra struck the killer blow with two wickets in two balls to dismiss Rajat Bhatia (nine) and Pradeep Sangwan (two) before the last four wickets fell for just three runs.



Tanvir king of Royals

Sohail Tanvir proved Twenty20 cricket is not the sole domain of batsman as he produced a record display with the ball to help the Rajasthan Royals to a comfortable eight-wicket win against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday.

The Pakistan left-armer claimed two wickets in the opening over of the match on his way to figures of 6-14 - the best in Twenty20 history - as the Super Kings were skittled for just 109. He also took two catches to complete a memorable day for the 23-year-old.

The home side chased down their victory target with ease, Graeme Smith remaining unbeaten on 35 from 44 balls, while his opening partner Swapnil Asnodkar added 32.

Despite the defeat the Super Kings remain top of the Indian Premier League table.

Chennai captain MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat, but he was made to immediately rue that decision as Tanvir removed both his openers without scoring.

Parthiv Patel fell from the first ball of the innings when he was trapped leg before wicket, before Stephen Fleming was dismissed in similar style four balls later.

Tanvir struck again in his next over when Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan offered a catch to Shane Warne at second slip, leaving the visitors reeling at 3-11.

South Africa all-rounder Albie Morkel provided the only resistence in hitting Warne for 17 from one over, including a towering straight six.

But Morkel's innings ended upon Tanvir's re-introduction into the attack, bowled for 42 from 33 balls.

The left-armer completed his own personal rout, bowling Muttiah Muralitharan and Makhaya Ntini as the Super Kings were routed for just 109.

The home side was never troubled in their run chase as Smith and Asnodkar put on 78 for the first wicket.

With victory in sight Asnodkar holed out to Ntini in the deep off the bowling of Vidyut before Yusuf Pathan could add just eight.

But Smith ensured the win chipping Suresh Raina over mid-off for two with 34 balls remaining.

6 May, 2008
Marsh stars for Punjab

Kings XI Punjab remain the form team in the Indian Premier League after recording its fifth consecutive victory, by six wickets, against Bangalore, to go level at the top of the table on Monday.

The away side's win was set up by a confident display with the ball as it skittled Bangalore for 126 from 19.2 overs, with five of the home players failing to score.

Teenage leg-spinner Piyush Chawla was the pick of the bowlers taking 3-25 while Sreesanth, who claimed two wickets in his opening over, finished with 2-16.

Rahul Dravid provided the only resistance, hitting 66 from 51 balls to save his side from total humiliation.

Shaun Marsh again led the Kings XI's run chase, smashing 39 from 34 balls as Punjab passed their target with 10 balls to spare.

Yuvraj Singh's decision to bowl reaped immediate rewards as Sreesanth claimed the wickets of Wasim Jaffer and the recalled Cameron White, both without scoring, in his opening over.

Bangalore's start got even worse when Jacques Kallis also fell for a duck, run out by Marsh following a mix-up with Virat Kohli, to leave the home team 3-15.

Kohli and Dravid stabilised the innings with a stand of 54 from 52 balls before Kohli (34) misread an Irfan Pathan slower ball to swat his attempted drive to Sreesanth at long-off.

That good work was soon undone, however, as the visitors again lost two wickets in an over.

Chawla trapped Misbah-ul-Haq (eight) leg before wicket before Praveen Kumar became the fourth batsman to fall for a duck, caught behind attempting to cut.

Chawla was proving a handful and he claimed his third wicket, and the fifth batsman without scoring, when he bowled Zaheer Khan with a googly.

The home side was indebted to some typically combative batting from Dravid, who combined his iron will with fine strokeplay to hit nine fours and a six in his score of 66.

Dravid was the final man to fall when he was caught by Mahela Jayawardene at third man from the bowling of VRV Singh.

Despite losing James Hopes (five) early on in their reply, a 54-run stand between Ramnaresh Sarwan and Marsh for the second wicket set the foundation for another Kings XI victory.

Praveen Kumar had Sarwan caught behind for 31 off 29 balls, but by the time Marsh was dismissed, bowled by Zaheer, the visitors needed just 21 runs from 34 balls.

Jayawardene and Pathan, who both finished unbeaten on 17, then guided the Kings XI home to draw it level at the top of the IPL table with Rajasthan Royals on five wins.

I'm enjoying your cricket reports Dougie. Good work.

Thanks grot.

Another win for Warne's Royals
Sat May 10 2008

Shane Warne took 2-20 as he led his Rajasthan Royals to an easy eight-wicket win over the Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League cricket match on Friday night.

Fellow Aussie Adam Gilchrist made 61 runs off 49 balls as the Chargers compiled 8-140 off their 20 overs.

The Royals reached the target with 24 balls to spare after man-of-the-match Yusuf Pathan clubbed 68 off 37 deliveries.

Rajasthan have won six of their eight matches to sit top of the table but the Chargers continue to dwell at the bottom with just two wins.

Balaji's five-for sinks Kings XI Punjab
May 10, 2008

Chennai Super Kings 181 for 4 (Badrinath 64, Dhoni 60*) beat Kings XI Punjab 163 for 9 (Marsh 58, Pathan 40, Balaji 5-24) by 18 runs
A match that swung from one side to the other was decided by two exceptional overs from L Balaji, the India international: he first picked up two crucial wickets in the 13th over to seize the initiative for his side, then picked up the IPL's first hat-trick in the final over to finish the match. Balaji's performance, in front of an ecstatic home crowd, pushed Chennai Super Kings to second place in the points table and ended Kings XI Punjab's streak of five successive wins.

Chasing a stiff 182, Punjab lost two early wickets but Shaun Marsh stayed calm at the other end, working the Chennai bowlers into the gaps for runs while picking up the odd boundaries. As the asking-rate escalated to over ten, Marsh decided to step it up, punishing Palani Amarnath for two sixes over the straight boundary and bringing up his fifty with another clean straight hit, off Balaji.

If Marsh appeared as if he'd just arrived after a stint at a driving range, Ramnaresh Sarwan, with whom he put on 66, was a touch slow with 20 off 22 balls and his inability to hit a boundary suggested why his Twenty20 strike-rate is less than a run-a-ball.

Their partnership was looking threatening, though, before both fell in one match-turning over from Balaji. Ambling in from a shortened run and putting in the effort in his final stride, he varied his deliveries, mixing up slower balls with shorter ones, with some surprising the batsmen. He got Sarwan with the first ball, the batsman bowled while giving the charge. Four balls later Marsh followed, top-edging to Amarnath on the square-leg boundary.

Amarnath tightened the screws in the next over, having Yuvraj Singh caught by Stephen Fleming at point, and the match was almost over as a contest. Not as a spectacle, though.

The 15th over saw a mini-battle between Muttiah Muralitharan and his Sri Lanka team-mate Mahela Jayawardene, who got down on his knees and dispatched him over deep midwicket. Two balls later, though, a repeat effort resulted in a top edge to S Vidyut at short third man, and Jayawardene, normally accustomed to running to congratulate his leading bowler, had to head back to the dugout.

And then there was the hat-trick, in the last over of the match. There were four balls to go and 19 runs to get when Balaji bowled to Irfan Pathan, who'd already hit him for a six off the first ball. This time, he holed out to a slower ball to deep square leg. Next, Piyush Chawla lofted one towards long-off for an easy catch, and the hat-trick was completed when VRV Singh managed to back away and top-edge one straight to Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Badrinath, a local boy like Balaji, and Dhoni had earlier threatened to take the game away as Michael Hussey had done in the previous encounter between Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab, but Punjab's bowlers did well to restrict the flow of runs in the final five overs of the innings.

Dhoni, Chennai's adopted hero and captain, sent the crowd into raptures soon after his arrival by clobbering Chawla for three sixes; the first two sailed into the leg-side stands, while the third was hit flat over the bowler's head. Yuvraj soon went in for damage control, bringing on Pathan, his side's leading wicket-taker, for his second spell as early as the 13th over. Badrinath took two sixes off Pathan and brought up his fifty off 37 deliveries. The two had added 80 off 49 deliveries, and a final flourish was on the cards.

Punjab came back well to rein in the rampaging batsmen. Sreesanth had bowled a good first spell in which he removed Chennai's openers and his final one - the 16th of the innings - went for just five, James Hopes and VRV took the cue and targeted the blockhole, and the run-scoring abated. Chennai got 181, but will be disappointed at not having been able to go past the 200-run mark, which looked likely at one stage.