29 May, 2008
Marsh the man once more

Impressive Australian Shaun Marsh struck a century to confirm himself as the Indian Premier League's leading runscorer as the Kings XI Punjab coasted to a 41-run win in their top-of-the-table clash with the Rajasthan Royals.

The gloss of the encounter, the 56th and final match of a protracted round-robin series, was reduced by its dead-rubber status as both team's had already secured a place in the weekend's semi-finals.

And while defeat for Rajasthan did not prevent them from finishing as table leaders, perhaps worryingly for its hopes was the ease in which it was cast aside by the home team.

The Royals were without the inspiration of captain Shane Warne, who opted to rest his 38-year-old body, but in his absence Marsh led a demolition of their attack as the Kings XI posted a formidable 3-221.

The 24-year-old West Australian confirmed his rising talent as he struck his maiden Twenty20 century, ably assisted by countryman James Hopes (51) and a 16-ball 49 from Yuvraj Singh.

Marsh was not selected in the original player lottery, instead arriving at Mohali as a late purchase following the recommendation of Punjab coach Tom Moody - Marsh's coach at Western Australia.

It has proved an astute piece of business as Marsh, who was also the leading runscorer in the Australian Twenty20 competition earlier this year, has scored a competition-high 593 runs at an average of 74.12.

His latest innings was undoubtedly his best so far as he crunched 11 fours and seven sixes in his career-high 115 from 69 balls.

He combined with Hopes in an opening stand of 133 from 81 balls to set the hosts on their way, before Yuvraj's destructive knock.

At one stage he and Marsh traded sixes, with Yuvraj edging their own personal battle with a hat-trick of maximums to end the 18th over, bowled by Siddharth Trivedi.

Their stand, 80 from 34 balls, was ended in the final over when Marsh was caught in the deep off Shane Watson, before Yuvraj was run out off the final ball.

The Royals' reply was immediately undermined by the early dismissals of Mohammad Kaif (one) and Younis Khan (three).

With nothing riding on the game the visitors' batsmen seemed more intent on gaining some valuable time in the middle ahead of their semi-final against the Delhi Daredevils on Friday.

Niraj Patel did his hopes of playing in that game no harm with a breezy 57 at the top of the order while Yusuf Pathan chipped in with 39, including three sixes, as the visitors completed their 20 overs at 180 for seven.

Teenage leg-spinner Piyush Chawla was the pick of the Kings XI bowlers claiming 3-35 from four overs.

The Kings XI will play the Chennai Super Kings on Saturday for the right to play in the IPL's first ever final.




29 May, 2008
Jayasuriya does job

A half-century from Sanath Jayasuriya has helped Mumbai Indians finish their failed Indian Premier League campaign with a nine-wicket victory over Bangalore Royal Challengers.

Sachin Tendulkar's side exacted revenge for the loss his team suffered when Mumbai had hosted the Royal Challengers, but the win was inconsequential as they had no chance of advancing to the semi-finals.

Jayasuriya and Tendulkar put on 96 runs for the opening stand as the Mumbai Indians made light of a target of 123.

Jayasuriya clobbered four sixes and four fours in a typically belligerent batting display as Rahul Dravid's decision to again open the bowling with Anil Kumble backfired.

Kumble conceded nine runs in his first over and was quickly removed from the attack.

Kumble was at the receiving end as Jayasuriya completed his half century when he swung the leg-spinner for six over deep midwicket.

Jayasuriya finally fell for 54 when he miscued a short-arm jab off Dale Steyn to cover.

Tendulkar kept the other end secure with a display of controlled aggression. He struck four fours and a six in an unfinished knock of 40, ensuring victory when he swept Kumble for a couple of boundaries.

Bangalore had earlier failed to make good on a modest start. Dilhara Fernando had wrecked the Royal Challengers' top order with a three-wicket haul in his first two overs.

The Sri Lankan paceman vindicated skipper Tendulkar's decision to field first in a game reduced to 18 overs due to rain.

He then had the dangerous Misbah-ul-Haq dismissed for nought before returning in the final overs to claim the wicket of Vinay Kumar and finish with figures of 4-18 from four overs.

Dwayne Smith ensured wickets fell at regular intervals as the Royal Challengers stuttered and stumbled under the pressure of losing early wickets.

Smith finished with 3-26 from four overs.