Samson said though he had not fired with the bat earlier, he continued to have complete support from his team. (Source: BCCI)

Young Kerala batsman Sanju Samson said that the over in which he and Karun Nair were dismissed off successive deliveries bowled by Mitchell McClenaghan was the turning point of his side Rajasthan Royals’ eight-run defeat in the IPL cricket match against Mumbai Indians in Mumbai.

“The over in which I got out changed the game,” said wicketkeeper Samson, who powered his way to a brilliant 76 off 46 balls to take Rajasthan closer to victory before falling to McClenaghan in the 18th over.

New Zealand pacer McClenaghan got rid of Nair for a first-ball duck and then Sri Lankan sling-arm specialist Lasith Malinga dismissed Deepak Hooda in the next over to arrest the Royals’ winning strides.

“Today it was my turn to go up and perform for the team. I am always ready to bat up the order or anywhere my team wants me to bat,” Samson said at the post-match press conference last night about his promotion to number three ahead of teammate Steven Smith.

Samson defended Australia’s man-in-form Smith, who scored 28 in 20 balls before falling to McClenaghan, and said their  partnership worth 46 was a very important one in Royals’ run-chase.

“He (Smith) cannot play well in every game. He tried his best it was not his day. He gave good support. If you have a fine batsman at the other end builds up your confidence. My partnership with him though small was important,” he said.

Samson said though he had not fired with the bat earlier in the tournament, with 27 as his best against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Visakhapatnam, he continued to have complete support from his team leadership group and coaching staff.

“Talking about my season, it was a bit tough for me. Each and every staff in our team, including Rahul Dravid (mentor), Paddy Upton (head coach), Zubin Bharicha (director of cricket) and Monty Desai (coach), have supported me.

“It’s one of the best teams I have played for in my career. In other teams when you do well people are around you. In our team even if you don’t do well you can see so many people coming to you and talking positive things to you,” he added.

Rayudu featured in a 61-rin stand with Pollard to pull MI out of a mid-innings rut and post 187. (Source: BCCI)

Mumbai Indians notched up their first back-to-back wins this season with a eight-run victory over Rajasthan Royals but their batsman Ambati Rayudu conceded that his side will have to play each game as a must-win to make it to the play-off stage of the IPL cricket tournament.

“Our play-off has already started, to be honest. We need to take each game as such and try to go that extra mile (in every game),” said Rayudu who scored an 53 while coming in at number five to help Mumbai beat Rajasthan by eight runs here last night.

Rayudu featured in a partnership of 61 runs in just 30 balls with West Indian Kieron Pollard to pull Mumbai out of a mid-innings rut and post a winning score of 187.

Mumbai had started the tournament with four losses on the trot before arresting the trend and Friday’s win was only their third in eight games and the second at the Wankhede Stadium this season.

They stared at a defeat when Rajasthan wicketkeeper Sanju Samson was blasting away to a fine 76 off 47 balls before New Zealand pacer Mitchell McClenaghan dismissed him and Karun Nair off successive balls in the 18th over to tilt the balance in favour of the home side.

“It was definitely Samson the way he batted. It was a brilliant innings. I am happy that we ended up on the winning side,” Rayudu said at the post-match press conference when asked at which point Mumbai thought they had  wrapped up the game.

On his own batting, Rayudu, who played some big shots towards the close in the company of Pollard, said he had some time to get his eye in before attempting to clear the ropes.

“As long as we are winning we are happy. It’s more important to win a few more games under the belt,” he said when asked about leaving things till the end.

“In T20 cricket especially when you are batting lower down, it’s not easy to get your mindset right, especially when you are a top-order batsman. It took me a little while to get my shape and swing going. I am happy I got a little bit of time today to build my innings so that I could get some big shots towards the end. I have been shaping up the whole year. I am happy with the way I am batting,” said Rayudu.

“It’s always been Malinga even when (Mitchell) Johnson was in our side,” said Rayudu over the importance of the Sri Lankan sling-arm pacer with his death bowling for Mumbai.

Malinga supported McClenaghan nicely after the Kiwi had got rid of dangerman Samson and Nair to scalp Deepak Hooda, a capable lower order batsman, in the very next over and ensure Mumbai’s win.

It was Cook’s 26th Test hundred, and his first since May 2013 against New Zealand at Leeds. (Source: Reuters)

Captain Alastair Cook scored his first century in two years to lead England out of early trouble against the West Indies on the first day of the third and final Test at Kensington Oval on Friday.

His dismissal for 105, caught by wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin from off-spinner Marlon Samuels, came four balls before the scheduled close and following that of Ben Stokes seven runs earlier. It left England on 240 for seven at the end and shifted the balance back to the home team.

England lead the series 1-0 following its nine-wicket victory in the second Test in Grenada last week.

Cook passed his elusive landmark with his 12th boundary, an on-drive off fast bowler Shannon Gabriel from his 259th ball. It was his 26th Test hundred, and his first since May 2013 against New Zealand at Leeds.

His jubilation was matched by an estimated 6,000 traveling England supporters in the packed stands. When he edged Samuels to Ramdin with shadows stretching across the field, his disappointment was in complete contrast.

After Cook won the toss and chose to bat on a good pitch on a sunny day, England stuttered to 38 for three in the first 18 overs. Opener Jonathan Trott was caught by Veerasammy Permaul off a delivery by Gabriel for his third 0 in the series, while Gary Ballance and Ian Bell fell to towering fast bowler Jason Holder.

Cook and second Test century-maker Joe Root added 53 either side of lunch but Root’s dismissal for 33, caught by Ramdin off left-arm spinner, restored the home team’s early advantage.

Cook and fellow left-hander Moeen Ali went on to build an England recovery with a solid partnership of 98. However, Moeen’s second run out in successive innings for a confident 58 after a six and eight fours, hesitating on Cook’s call for a single on a shot to backward point, checked England once more.

Cook put on a further 44 for the sixth wicket with Stokes but the loss their wickets lifted the West Indies on a fluctuating day.

England kept its winning XI from the second Test.

West Indies brought back fast bowler Jerome Taylor, fit again after a sore shoulder kept him out of the second Test, for Kemar Roach, and gave a first Test cap to batsman Shai Hope instead of opener Devon Smith.

Permaul was picked as leg-spinner to replace Davendra Bishoo, who sustained a blistered finger on his bowling hand after sending down 59 overs in the second Test.

May 2 (Infostrada Sports) - Scoreboard at lunch on the fifth day in the first Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan on Saturday in Khulna, Bangladesh Bangladesh 1st innings 332 (M. Haque 80, I. Kayes 51) Pakistan 1st innings 628 (M. Hafeez 224, A. Shafiq 83, A. Ali 83, S. Ahmed 82, Misbah-ul-Haq 59; T. Islam 6-163) Bangladesh 2nd innings (Overnight: 273-0) T. Iqbal not out 159 I. Kayes

Robin Uthappa and Andre Russell put on 112 runs in no time to power KKR home at Eden Gardens on Thursday. (Source: BCCI/IPL)

Royal Challengers Bangalore (Washout)

What went wrong: Young Sarfaraz Khan was livid at Dinesh Karthik’s misjudgment and reacted comically when the latter was run out, going for a second that didn’t exist. Bangalore had lost AB de Villiers to another run out just two overs ago and suddenly they were under a bit of pressure. A special effort was needed to take the game away from Rajasthan Royals. Sarfaraz played a gem, scoring 45 not out off 21 balls. Skipper Virat Kohli was so impressed that he left the dug-out to salute the 17-year-old.

What went right: Bangalore were favourites to win the contest after having 200 runs on the board. But their chances washed away by the rain. They’re now placed fourth in the table with seven points from as many matches.

Kolkata Knight Riders (bt CSK)

What went right: On familiar territory of the Eden Gardens, Kolkata avenged their Chepauk heartbreak. Once again, 44-year-old Brad Hogg was the standout performer with 4/29 in four overs. He changed the game, although Andre Russell was adjudged Man of the Match. Sunil Narine’s absence has turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the defending champions.

What went wrong: Two youngsters, Manish Pandey and Suryakumar Yadav were not pulling their weight. Pandey should have built on his last season’s success. But, so far, he has failed to make an impact. Once again, he got out to a poor shot against Chennai Super Kings. Yadav, the team’s vice-captain, followed suit. Time for them to stand up and be counted. Kolkata’s middle-order appears to be heavily dependent on Russell’s pyrotechnics.

Conclusion:

It’s Bangalore’s batting versus Kolkata’s bowling. It’s a 17-year old rookie versus a 44-year old veteran. It’s Gayle, Kohli AB and Sarfaraz against Hogg & company. Gayle singlehandedly ended the first leg. But since, Kolkata’s bowling has added some firepower.

Captain David Warner alone is carrying Hyderabad batting.

 

Sunrisers Hyderabad (bt KXIP)

What went right: Sunrisers Hyderabad brilliantly defended a modest 150 against Kings XI Punjab. The team management’s decision to play Trent Boult ahead of Dale Steyn stood vindicated. The Kiwi fast bowler was top-class, bowling with pace and swing upfront and then landing his yorkers perfectly at the death. He returned with 3/19 in his four overs and the Man of the Match award. Ashish Reddy’s eight-ball 22 not out was equally important. It gave his bowlers something to bowl at.

What went wrong: Captain David Warner alone is carrying Hyderabad batting. He had another half-century in the last game but, once again, was bereft of support at the other end. Maybe it’s time to bring back Eoin Morgan.

Chennai Super Kings (lost to KKR)

What’s going wrong: Chennai should be concerned about their successive middle-order collapses. They threw away good starts in their back-to-back fixtures against Kolkata Knight Riders. MS Dhoni is not quite in his element with the bat. He looked a little clueless when Piyush Chawla breached his defence in the last game. A marauder has become a grafter. Maybe it’s time for the Chennai captain to throw caution to the wind and take his team on a helicopter ride.

What went right: Pawan Negi. It was the first game for the 22-year-old left-arm spinner and he was replacing the irreplaceable; Ravichandran Ashwin. Negi had an excellent game, removing Manish Pandey and giving away only 23 runs in his four overs. He had gotten the better of Robin Uthappa as well, only that Dhoni missed the stumping opportunity.

Conclusion:

Chennai usually bounce back very well from defeats. Hyderabad should be prepared for a backlash.

In the 18th over of the game, Mitchell McClenaghan dismissed Sanju Samson and Karun Nair in consecutive deliveries to put Mumbai Indians on top. (Source: BCCI/IPL)

Spunky Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu the batsman can range from the delectable to the innocuous. He can play the most fluent cover-drive you’ll see, with the elbow and hands in such perfect harmony, you would think they mugged up the batting text-book. But next ball, you’ll see him walking across his stumps, and attempting an ugly hoick through the on-side that would send the purists running for cover. No wonder he divides opinions.

On Friday at the Wankhede Stadium, both shades of Rayudu’s batting repertoire were on display but for once, it didn’t matter how he got the runs. Not for him, or for the Mumbai Indians. In the IPL, he’s been the redeemer for Mumbai when all else have failed, a status that he’s not justified this season—an average of 14 in six outings. Till Friday that is, as he smashed an unbeaten 53 off 27 balls to burgeon Mumbai’s total to 187/5.

He loves those full tosses, like Rajasthan Royals found out. On five occasions they erred with being too full, and they were either swatted for four or helped over the ropes—two of those coming in the penultimate over bowled by Tim Southee. Other times, he stayed back in his crease, and ensured that length deliveries were landing right under his bat and soaring into the Wankhede stands.

He ensured Mumbai scored 61 runs off four overs, finishing the innings off with a cheeky upper-cut over short third-man to bring up his first half-century of IPL8.

Insipid Watson

Something happens to Watson the bowler in the IPL. He has picked just one wicket in five games and has an economy rate of 9.22. Usually a bowler who can be trusted to come and do his bit in the middle overs, be it hitting the deck or getting it to reverse, he has been rather insipid this year. He started off well on Friday, giving just three runs, but was profligate in his later overs. Mumbai were dawdling a touch at 60 for 1 in 8 overs when Watson opened the floodgates in the next. A short ball was pulled for a four before Lendl Simmons charged down the track to wallop the next one over long-on for a six. 13 came in the over but he was to leak 19 runs in the 18th over. Again, Mumbai were just trying to recover from the loss of Rohit Sharma and looking for some momentum when Watson came on.

There were three full tosses in that over, a rank short ball and Kieron Pollard and Rayudu helped themselves to a few boundaries. Rayudu smashed a full toss to midwicket, Pollard pulled another for a four and he also slugged a short ball for a six over the midwicket boundary.

McClenaghan’s Triple strike

Rajasthan needed 64 from 36 when Mitch McClenaghan came on to bowl to Steve Smith. Everyone knows Smith loves to cut. And there was McClenaghan almost daring him to cut. From around the stumps, he sent three quick deliveries that skidded on from short of length outside the off stump. Deep backward point was untenanted and there was the risk of four every single time. However, even as Smith went for his most productive shot, he could only carve through thin air. Even he couldn’t believe it- there was a shake of head, the shadow practice of the shot but it just wouldn’t connect. He then walked right across off the fourth ball to drag a shortish delivery to the leg side for a single and was on strike for the final ball again. Would he dare to bowl another fast short-of-length ball outside off?

And if he does, will Smith miss again? McClenaghan pinged the line and length again and this time Smith’s flashing blade made contact. However, it was just a top edge and the ball looped down to third man where Harbhajan Singh didn’t make any mistake and McClenaghan roared in delight. In the 19th over, he served the final blows, inducing Samson to hole out to long-off and luring Karun Nair to edge behind. Game over.

Audacious Samson

It was almost a lone battle from Sanju Samson. No other batsman even managed to reach 30 but Samson kept Rajasthan’s hopes alive till the end. In the 18th over, needing 61 from 30, he thumped Lasith Malinga for a stunning six over long-off. Next, he did a little dance down the track – his back foot first went outside leg stump before he skipped right back inside the line of the stumps to somehow squeeze a full delivery past short fine-leg with an audacious paddle scoop. But he too was done in by McClenaghan.