Smith and Faulkner blitz Bangalore
Australian duo Steven Smith and James Faulkner swatted a the Royal Challengers Bangalore bowling attack to all corners of the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Australian duo Steven Smith and James Faulkner swatted a the Royal Challengers Bangalore bowling attack to all corners of the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, as the Rajasthan Royals gathered an entertaining five-wicket victory in Sunday's important Indian Premier League fixture.
Bangalore captain Virat Kohli's choice to bat first after winning the toss brought a formidable total of 190 for five – on the back of all-rounder Yuvraj Singh's cavalier 83 not out and South African recruit AB de Villiers' complementary 58.
Singh and de Villiers shared eight boundaries and as many as a dozen handsome sixes during an ambitious 132-run stand for the fourth wicket, which spanned five deliveries more than half the innings.
Smith and Faulkner, however, were prompt in upstaging that century stand. Rajasthan were all but out of the contest after slipping to 106 for five in the 14th over. The dashing right-handers, however, clouted an unbroken 85-run partnership in just 5.2 overs.
There was no respite in the onslaught, as Smith romped to 48 not out from 21 deliveries and Faulkner an unbeaten 41 in 17, as triumph arrived with 1.1 overs to spare, with the latter named Man of the Match. Spinner Yuvraj's four-wicket haul, meanwhile, went in vain.
Singh's ability to slow the soaring run-rate suggested the Challengers should have bowled a third slow bowler. Fast bowlers Albie Morkel, Mitchell Starc, Ashok Dinda and Varun Aaron, instead, proved entirely expensive.
The result propelled the Royals to third position in the eight-team standings, while the Bangalore franchise slipped to sixth. Monday's lone IPL fixture will see the Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians clash at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal.
Latest
-
NewsNew Zealand make England suffer after controversial Devon Conway decision
Conway appeared to be caught out when on 22 but he was given not out and ended the afternoon session on 78.
-
NewsMichael Holding: England footballers showing some backbone by taking the knee
Former pace bowler Holding was less impressed with the ‘moment of unity’ from England and New Zealand’s cricketers.
-
NewsDan Lawrence misses out on maiden Test century as England post 303
Stuart Broad dismissed Tom Latham as New Zealand reached lunch on 43 for one in reply.
-
NewsWill Jacks leads Surrey to opening Blast victory over Middlesex
Opener Finn Allen made an unbeaten 73 to lead Lancashire to victory.
-
NewsCrowd brings colour back to Edgbaston as England avoid batting collapse
The ground welcomed 18,000 fans on the first day of the second Test against New Zealand.
-
NewsRory Burns impressed with Dan Lawrence’s innings at Edgbaston
Lawrence finished unbeaten on 67.
-
NewsRory Burns and Dan Lawrence come to England rescue as fans flock to Edgbaston
Burns made 81 and Lawrence an unbeaten 67 on day one of the second Test.
-
NewsRory Burns stands firm for England after New Zealand hit back in second Test
Burns was unbeaten on 73 as England went to tea on 152 for four at Edgbaston.
-
NewsOllie Robinson takes a ‘short break’ from cricket
The 27-year-old’s Test debut was overshadowed by historical racist and sexist tweets being unearthed.
-
NewsDom Sibley and Rory Burns give England solid start to second Test
The two openers put on 67 in the morning session against New Zealand at at Edgbaston