Smith dooms Mumbai to another defeat

The Rajasthan Royals doomed the Mumbai Indians to a third defeat at this year's Indian Premier League, beating them by seven wickets thanks to Steve Smith's fluid half century.
Mumbai made 164 for five, thanks to half tons from Corey Anderson and Kieron Pollard, but it always felt a little below par, and the Royals won with five balls to spare, Smith ending on 79 not out.
Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to send his Mumbaikers in to bat, and disaster soon struck. Opener Aaron Finch was forced to retire hurt on 10 afer pulling up with an injury to his left leg. He had to be carried off the field, leaving Mumbai, and Australia, waiting to see the outcome.
The rest of the top order was poor, as no-one managed to get past the teens, leaving it to Pollard and Anderson to get a decent score on the board. Anderson made 50 off 38 balls before being bowled by Chris Morris, while Pollard's 70 came off 34 balls.
The loss of those two late wickets denied the Indians a big finish, and Rajasthan made sure to capitalise. Ajinkya Rahane's 46 at the top of the order provded the platform, and Smith's 79 did the rest.
Deepak Hooda, hero of the pervious game, was only able to add 13 tis time, but off just four balls, while Samju Samson was out for 17. This secured the Royals their third win on the bounce.
Latest
-
News
Travis Head says attention on star man Steve Smith helped him excel at Lord’s
Head hit 146 not out.
-
News
Travis Head lays down Ashes marker with blistering century against India
Head was the standout performer as the Baggy Greens racked up 327 for three.
-
News
Moeen Ali’s return makes England stronger – Graeme Swann
Moeen is poised to play his first red-ball cricket in almost two years.
-
News
Travis Head hits quickfire 60 to give Australia momentum in WTC against India
Head was at his counter-punching best, reeling off 10 boundaries in 75 balls to push the pressure back on to the Indian attack.
-
News
England captain Heather Knight sets sights on landmark summer of Ashes cricket
Giant images of Knight and Stokes were beamed on to one of London’s best known sights as part of the countdown to the men’s and women’s series.
-
News
David Warner out for 43 just before lunch on day one of World Test Championship
Australia reached 73 for two against India by the first interval at the Kia Oval.
-
News
Moeen Ali agrees to come out of retirement to join England’s Ashes squad
He has 64 Test caps, 195 wickets and the small matter of five Test centuries.
-
T20 Blast
Hampshire boost Blast title defence while Nathan Sowter inspires Durham
Yorkshire and Essex were the night’s other winners.
-
The Ashes
I was raging in Brisbane but now I’m comfortable with rotation – Stuart Broad
England’s veteran seamer is gearing up for whatever part he has to play in this summer’s Ashes.
-
The Ashes
Pat Cummins has no plans to rest as Australia captain targets every Ashes Test
All five matches take place in a period lasting just over six weeks.