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.