Submit your comment
By Zaahier Adams
JP Duminy may be small in stature, but he sure is the man for the big occasion. The classy left-hander struck a belligerent 99 not out off just 52 balls to steer the Cape Cobras to a thrilling five-wicket win over the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the opening game of the maiden Twenty20 Champions League.
If there was a cricketer who deserved to score just one more run, it was Duminy. The Proteas star took the responsibility upon his slight shoulders and played one of the greatest Twenty20 innings for the Cobras last night.
The Cobras had started their pursuit of Bangalore's in disarray. Their fielding earlier in the evening had been poor - three dropped catches - and they had lost star bowler Charl Langeveldt to injury during the Challengers' innings.
Continues Below ↓
Duminy, though, was not fazed The visitors seemed to be in awe of the 50 000 spectators packed into the M Chinnaswamy Stadium and when star batsman Herschelle Gibbs (0) and skipper Andrew Puttick (9) were gone after just 16 balls, matters looked bleak for South Africa's Pro20 champions.
Duminy, though, was not fazed. He placed his immediate stamp on proceedings when he waltzed down the crease to Jacques Kallis to smear his Proteas teammate over the square-leg boundary. Kallis exchanged a few heated words, but all it did was motivate Duminy. The on-side was definitely Duminy's preferred area on the night as he scored 77 of his 99 runs in that area.
No chase, however, can be done without some key partnerships. Wicket-keeper Ryan Canning played a handy innings of 20 off 18 balls as he and Duminy added 61 runs for the fifth wicket.
Langeveldt bowled an economical opening spell for the Cobras. He used all his experience from previous tours to the sub-continent with the Proteas, pitching the ball up on a good batting track, and found just enough outswing to keep the Challengers in check during the six Powerplay overs.
Continues...
|