HIGHVELD Lions not only outplayed Yorkshire by five wickets but also the Indian Premier League giants – Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings – to reach the Champions League Twenty20 semi-final along with Sydney Sixers from Group B. In a low-scoring thriller played in front of near-empty stands, Yorkshire were restricted to 131 after being sent in to bat and Lions surpassed the modest target with four deliveries to spare.
In-form Quinton de Kock led the charge for the home team with 32 off 35 balls, while Jean Symes remained unbeaten on 27 which included two fours and a huge six in the 19th over, which turned the match in Lions’ favour. Quinton’s knock was studded with boundaries and two huge sixes.
Quinton played a mature innings to take his team closer to the target before Yorkshire struck to make a comeback into the game. However, a quick-fire 25 off 14 balls from Dwaine Pretorius again put the Lions in the front seat.
Symes bagged the Man-of-the-Match award for a decisive 27 runs off 22 balls.
Earlier, the English side managed a decent total on the board with a 54-run stand from skipper Andrew Gale (21) and Phil Jaques (31) up front. The start for Yorkshire was steady with the openers providing a nice platform but the middle-order failed to capitalise.
Jaques top-scored for his team but the other batsmen struggled to force the pace on a sluggish pitch that hampered stroke-making.
Gary Ballance (17) and Adam Lyth (21) threaded a vital partnership for the fourth wicket but it was dismantled at a juncture by the home team. Aaron Phangiso – the left-armer was the most economical bowler in the side – and Sohail Tanvir were the pick of the bowlers with two wickets apiece.
After winning both their matches in the qualifiers, Yorkshire received a mauling at the hands of the Sydney Sixers in their first match. Unfortunately, rain in their second match against the Mumbai Indians didn’t allow them to get off the mark either.
In-form Quinton de Kock led the charge for the home team with 32 off 35 balls, while Jean Symes remained unbeaten on 27 which included two fours and a huge six in the 19th over, which turned the match in Lions’ favour. Quinton’s knock was studded with boundaries and two huge sixes.
Quinton played a mature innings to take his team closer to the target before Yorkshire struck to make a comeback into the game. However, a quick-fire 25 off 14 balls from Dwaine Pretorius again put the Lions in the front seat.
Symes bagged the Man-of-the-Match award for a decisive 27 runs off 22 balls.
Earlier, the English side managed a decent total on the board with a 54-run stand from skipper Andrew Gale (21) and Phil Jaques (31) up front. The start for Yorkshire was steady with the openers providing a nice platform but the middle-order failed to capitalise.
Jaques top-scored for his team but the other batsmen struggled to force the pace on a sluggish pitch that hampered stroke-making.
Gary Ballance (17) and Adam Lyth (21) threaded a vital partnership for the fourth wicket but it was dismantled at a juncture by the home team. Aaron Phangiso – the left-armer was the most economical bowler in the side – and Sohail Tanvir were the pick of the bowlers with two wickets apiece.
After winning both their matches in the qualifiers, Yorkshire received a mauling at the hands of the Sydney Sixers in their first match. Unfortunately, rain in their second match against the Mumbai Indians didn’t allow them to get off the mark either.
