Warriors crush Redbacks
Hyderabad, Sept 25 (INN): Warriors have given the battle cry that they are ready to take on the world at their own game. A magnificent collective effort by Warriors, the surprise element in the Champions League T20 2011 pack, snuffed out the challenge of South Australian Redbacks in a Group B encounter at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Sunday.
A comprehensive 50-run win gave yet another indication that their win in the Championship opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore was no flash of isolated brilliance.
Batting first after winning a very good toss, the South African outfit, which boasts of the perfect blend of experience and youth, got its act going following a brilliant inning by JJ Smuts and his all-out counter-attack that steered Warriors to a very healthy 171-5 in the stipulated 20 overs.
South Australian Redbacks began its run-chase on a disastrous note when Harris perished while going for massive heave off the seventh ball of the innings. The scoreboard was at a precarious 5 for one. T Cooper (3) became Tsotsobe's second victim, even as they were further in the slumps at 18 for 2.
Eventually, they could only compile 121-6. M Klinger top scored with a fast-paced 34 runs. D Christian's unbeaten 26 helped swell the score. Wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals. In fact, having survived the 20 overs was a measure of success for Redbacks. The hallmark of the match was the tidy spells by Warriors' bowlers, who were backed by splendid fielding.
Although they lost a couple of quick wickets, the Warriors, who are putting up an impressive showing in the championship, were given impetus by handy knocks by Colin Ingram (34) and Marck Boucher (30).
Man of the match, Smuts, who dominated the bowling all through his 65-ball stay, used the long handle to perfect levels to make 88 runs. His belligerent innings was studded with ten hits to the fence and two towering sixes that landed in the stands.
He singled out seasoned campaigner Shaun Tait for special treatment to the extent that Tait finished as the most expensive bowler with his 1/53 from his four overs.
Brief Scores: Warriors 171-5 (J Smuts 88, M Boucher 34, C Ingram 30, D Harris 2/23, D Christian 2/24) bt South Australian Redbacks 121/6 (M Klinger 34, D Christian 26no, L Tsotsobe 2/30).
News Posted: 25 September, 2011
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