Wed, 21 Sep 2011 - IP Kolkata vs IP Somerset, Champions T20 League 2011, 6th Qualifier - Bulletin

Somerset win but Kolkata qualify as well

Kolkata and Somerset became other two sides to qualify for Champions League’s main draw besides Trinidad and Tobago to complete the ten team line-up. In an important last qualifying match, Somerset ensured their place by defeating Kolkata by 11 but latter also managed go through edging past Ruhuna in the net run rate race.

Having given a target of 167 to win, Kolkata could manage 155/8 in allotted twenty overs but losing by less than 12 runs was enough for them to qualify. It was Dutch and Essex all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate who scripted the Kolkata who, at one point of time, were struggling having lost five top order men for 97 at the end of 13th over.

The three time ICC Associate Nation player ten Doeschate hit three sixes and a four under pressure to make sure his team’s entry into the main. He scored 31-ball 46 and got nice support from Shaqibul Hassan and Rajat Bhatia who both played crucial little innings to help their side to revive after top order failed to come up with substantial contribution.

Kolkata’s chase was punctured upfront with in-form Manvinder Bisla and skipper Jacques Kallis returning back to the change room with team score at 10. There was a damage control stand of 38 runs between Sheerat Goswami and Manoj Tiwary but both succumbed to Max Waller’s leg spin in the matter of two overs as chase got into a tangle.

Ten Doeschate and Yusuf Pathan added 40 for the fifth wicket with former scoring bulk of those. Pathan didn’t look convincing and his stay was hampered as big man suffered with cramps. He combusted while playing a big for 12 and left ten Doeschate with lot to do.

The all-rounder didn’t let his team down though making sure runs needed to qualify are rounded off. Somerset‘s win was combination of some top class batting and clever bowlers well backed by some athleticism in the field. Van der Merwe, who had a good outing with the bat, made his evening better by dismissing two Kolkata batsmen for 23 in his four overs.

The highlight of Somerset’s batting effort was Man of the Match Peter Trego’s 70 well supported by van der Merwe’s 25-ball 40 and Nick Compton slamming two-runs a ball 20 to give innings a late charge. Trego, who was batted throughout the innings, was played a vital role in all the stands to surge the total past 165. Under the batsmen’s assault, Kolkata bowlers wilted offering too many hittable deliveries and fielders also let them down fumbling far too many times in the out-field to aid Somerset’s progress.

After losing Chris Jones for 10-ball 14 with team score on 27, Trego and Merwe demonstrated a high quality batsmanship to mix aggressive strokes with sensible batting as the duo kept hitting gaps to rotate the strike. The pair added 72 for the second wicket off 48 balls to drive their side forward for a big total.

Merwe hit four fours and a six in his knock Jaidev Udankat did him in to end a fascinating partnership. Trego meanwhile continued to belt the ball hard through cow-corner and covers putting Kolkata under tremendous pressure. Post Merwe dismissal, Trego added 26 with James Hildreth before combining with Compton for a breezy 33-run stand. Trego, who was run-out of the final ball of the innings, played a Dilscoop off Brett Lee to bring some cheekiness to his play. His 61-ball stay saw him hit nine fours while Compton’s knock was laced with two fours and a six.

Kolkata spinners Iqbal Abdulla and Yusuf Pathan struggled to contain Trego and co. as the duo bowled too many short balls and were dispatched to all corners of the park. Kallis had two quiet overs, Udankat’s four yielded 31 and two wickets and Lee gave away 33 in his four getting wickets of Jones and Steve Snell.