Deccan's losing streak continues

The Kolkata Knight Riders heaped further misery on the Deccan Chargers as they secured a five-wicket victory in Cuttack on Sunday.
The Kolkata Knight Riders heaped further misery on the Deccan Chargers as they secured a five-wicket victory in Cuttack on Sunday.
Deccan's struggles with the bat continued as they managed a disappointing 126 for seven after they were put in to bat, with Shikhar Dhawan playing the only innings of substance as he contributed a run-a-ball 50.
Despite losing wickets in the middle period of their chase Kolkata were never truly troubled by Deccan's total, and consigned the Chargers to their fifth defeat in five games this season.
Although the home side managed to keep wickets in hand as they looked to post a competitive score, Deccan's cautious approach meant that they never built any meaningful momentum.
Dhawan played the anchor role well, but was reliant on batsmen providing firepower at the other end. That never really happened as Parthiv Patel scored 23 from 19 balls and Cameron White got in, and then got out.
JP Duminy arrived with the score on 95 for three at the start of the 15th over, but was denied the strike and only faced 15 deliveries to finish not out on 16.
With Dhawan dismissed an over later with no real batting to come, Deccan never looked like posting a menacing total.
Although they had Kolkata three down by the halfway stage of their chase, with Gautam Gambhir falling for 30, such a meagre target was always within the Knight Riders' grasp.
Yusuf Pathan failed again and Jacques Kallis fell for 23, but there were enough contributions to ensure that Kolkata cruised home with six balls to spare as Manoj Tiwary finished unbeaten on 30.
Latest
-
County Cricket
Middlesex relegated from Division One as Kent survive on dramatic final day
Middlesex fell just short of the victory they needed at Nottinghamshire to stay up instead of Kent.
-
India
England captain Jos Buttler believes India are favourites for World Cup
The last three editions of the Cricket World Cup – India in 2011, Australia in 2015 and England in 2019 – have been won by the host nation.
-
County Cricket
Surrey retain County Championship title after Essex batting collapse
The holders have been crowned champions for the 21st time.
-
County Cricket
Geoffrey Boycott: Everybody in Newcastle hates Mike Ashley amid Headingley links
The PA news agency understands the Frasers Group, where Ashley is chief executive, is one of the parties interested in purchasing Headingley.
-
County Cricket
Essex’s slim hopes of winning County Championship dented by Northamptonshire
Essex need at least 400 to have any chance of claiming top spot.
-
England
Matthew Mott: Jofra Archer ‘desperate to play but realistic’ ahead of World Cup
The 28-year-old is not expected to be ready to return to action until the tournament is close to a conclusion.
-
County Cricket
Umpire Sue Redfern makes history in County Championship match at Glamorgan
Redfern became the first woman to stand as an umpire in a men’s first-class match in England and Wales.
-
England
England’s summer ends in soggy fashion and prompts a call for innovation
The one-day international against Ireland at Bristol was abandoned.
-
England
England win ODI series against Ireland after play is abandoned at Bristol
Ben Duckett had scored a century and Phil Salt 61 off just 28 balls before rain stopped play.