MCL 6th Match Review: Narrow victory for Virgo Super Kings

The Virgo Super Kings and Libra Legends played out an exciting contest which saw brilliant batting performances from both the sides. Eventually, it was the Super Kings who managed to squeeze out a victory narrowly and emerge victorious.

The Super Kings went into bat after winning the toss and got off to a decent start with The South African pair of Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie putting up a 44 runs opening partnership for the first wicket at a healthy run rate. McKenzie soon left after Brad Hogg clean bowled him with a superb delivery. Number three Owais Shah hung around with Smith with his below par run-a-ball 15 runs.

But, the Super Kings were in control though, thanks to Smith. However, ten Doeschate brought relief in the Legend camp after he managed to get better of Smith and dismissed him caught and bowled. Azhar Mahmood (22 from 15 balls) and Jacob Oram (18 from 11 balls) played short quickfire cameos to help the Super Kings reach 168/5 after 20 overs. Graeme Smith (57 from 42 balls) played an outstanding knock today and was the major reason behind Super Kings posting the commendable total on the scoreboards.

Brad Hogg (3/12) was the pick of the bowlers for the Libra Legends.

In reply to the challenging total of 169, the Legends started off brilliantly with Jacques Kallis and Michael Lumb putting up a giant 100 runs partnership. The duo gave the most appropriate start one would expect while chasing. Kallis in particular was awesome today and kept the pressure on the Super Kings bowlers by hitting the balls past the ropes every now and then. Lumb, on the other hand looked little conservative but took did not let any scoring opportunity go in vain. The duo brought up the century for the team in the 12th over. However, just when it everyone thought that batting pair will run away with the match, Murali Kartik struck, getting the prized wicket of Kallis.

There stiil a lot of job to be done in the middle but the platform for the victory was set. However, the Super Kings bowlers bowled their team into the game from here on. Sri Lanka Leg spinner Bandara  got Lumb stumped behind. Lee made Sean Ervine depart in the 18th over while Bandara snarled one more in the subsequent over in the form of Taufeeq Umar’s wicket to make the game interesting. However, Ryan ten Doeschate was defiant from one end kept the game alive for the Legends. The equation was brought down to 18 runs from the last over which Brett was supposed to bowl. ten Doeschate and Swann tried their best but 18 runs off a Brett Lee overs doesn’t come every day. The Legends fell short of the target by 5 runs eventually and lost a game which somehow was in their favor for most part of the second innings.

Brief Scores:

Virgo Super Kings: 168/5 in 20 overs (Smith 57; Hogg 3/12)

Libra Legends: 163/4 in 20 overs (Lumb 54; Bandara 2/36)

Man of the Match: Graeme Smith (Virgo Super Kings)