Wed, 28 Sep 2011 - IP Chennai vs IP Cobras, Champions T20 League 2011, 9th Match Bulletin

Bravo blitz stuns Cobras

There is something about the reigning IPL and Champions League champions Chennai that makes them to pull off victories from jaws of defeat. And there is always a hero who fashions out these thrilling wins. This time around, it was West Indian all-rounder Dwayne Bravo whose 25-ball 46 powered Chennai to a four wicket victory against Cape Cobras in a Group A Champions League game.

After having experienced too many twists and swings, a chase of 146 looked very much out of Chennai’s reach when skipper MS Dhoni left the scene with his team still needing 26 off 14 balls. Bravo though had other ideas taking on the world’s premier fast bowler Dale Steyn to loot 17, including the longest six of the tournament over mid-wicket and two fours, in the 19th over. It virtually sealed the game for the home as remaining six runs off final over were reduced to just a formality. The Bravo show helped his side to recover from a JP Duminy (4 for 20) scripted batting collapse in the middle overs which saw Chennai lose two off two at a crucial stage of the chase.

Bravo’s best shot came against Vernom Philander’s slower one in the 18th over having Caribbean flourish written all over it. The right hander stood tall and hit the slower one up and over cover boundary for an eye pleasing six. The match winning knock comprised three fours and a couple sixes and played a vital role in two back to back stands. In Dhoni’s company Bravo added 43 before match sealing 26 with Albie Morkel.

In its pursuit to get 146, Michael Hussey powered the home team to a rapid start. The Aussie continued his nice form from first match cracking four boundaries and a mighty six as his partner Murali Vijay failed for second time running falling for 14. The pair put on 41 in five overs though. Hussey didn’t last long beaten by impressive Duminy in the flight for Dane Vilas to complete the stumping. Hussey went for 24. W Saha given promotion in the batting order failed to impress as his scratchy stay was completed by Duminy for his second wicket.

Duminy continue to trouble Chennai batsmen as his last over of the spell proved to be productive one for the Cobras. He had wickets of S Badrinath and Raina off successive balls to have Chennai reeling at 77 for 5 at the end of 12 overs. Bravo, aided by Dhoni and Morkel, changed Chennai’s fortunes to stun Cobras.Duminy would feel hard done for his 4 for 20 in four overs went in vain.

Having decided to bat first, Cape Cobras were all going along nicely with score reading 124 for three in sixteen overs and two set batsmen at the crease but a flurry of wickets and lack of boundaries in the last four kept them under 150. Riding on the flourishing start from top three, Shah and Duminy defied the Chennai spinners’ threat with risk free yet aggressive batting display. The pair put on a flawless 57 for the third wicket and had given their side a perfect launching pad for late charge and put them in a strong position to have a crack at a score in excess of 160.

Shah was a very usual self making all kinds of movements at the crease on his way to a well constructed 45. The left handed Duminy’s 24-ball tenure saw him hit gaps without much of a sweat improving his strike rate with occasional forceful strokes. With both departing in the matter of three balls in 17th over and rest not able to get on with it, Cobras could manage only 21 and lost four wickets in as many overs to undo a strong base.

Richard Levi was trapped plumb in-front first ball of second over off R Ashwin bowling to give Chennai an early breakthrough. This didn’t deter Herchelle Gibbs from unleashing his trademark neat strokes through cover region. After a quiet beginning to his innings, Gibbs came to his own creaming three crisp boundaries before miscuing a pull shots off Doug Bollinger falling for rapid 18.

Wicketkeeper Dane Vilas and Shah kept the momentum going thanks to well paced stand of 32 and the duo were particularly good against Chennai’s spin options. The highlight of the partnership was Vilas dumping Raina into mid-wicket stands. Levi though went soon after that bowled by a Bravo slower one for 18.

Duminy began his innings by picking up singles as Shah showed some signs of aggression. The right hander’s most authoritative shot came against left arm spinner Shahdab Jakati when he stayed leg side of the ball to give himself enough room to hit a huge six into long off stands. He used his wrists effectively to hit a couple of leg side fours in his 38 ball knock. Duminy hit two fours and a six for 29 but his dismissal to Albie Morkel followed by Shah’s in the same over undid all the advantage Cobras had.