Having posted 172 for eight, the Challengers gave away free runs at various stages of the innings through misfields, then lost the plot in the last eight overs of their bowling stint as the Warriors won off the last delivery of the game.
“I thought at the halfway stage that 172 was a pretty good score,” the Challengers’ skipper told newsmen. “Our batsmen maintained a standard, and at the halway stage, I thought we could win. We were in a good position till the last few overs, and then some sloppy fielding and poor execution cost us the match. There were a few half-good overs and the match slipped.”
The Chinnaswamy stadium surface produced nearly 350 runs in 40 overs. “It was a tricky wicket,” Vettori said, then added quickly, “When I say tricky, you had to get the length right. If it was a little full or a little short, you got hit; most wickets fell to length balls.”
Ashwell Prince revealed a new facet to his batting with a 55-ball 74 that won him the man of the match award. “I trusted my ability,” said the left-handed Warriors opener. Yes, I am associated with Tests but Twenty20 helps me express myself and show a side that not many are aware of.”
The Warriors needed 13 off seven deliveries when Nicky Boje smashed a six off the last delivery of the penultimate over. “Getting 13 from the last over would have been difficult but luckily for us, Nicky struck a six off Muthin after he had taken two wickets and that helped us,” said Warriors skipper Johan Botha. “In the post-match presentation, Dan said about how his team had just got together when asked about the fielding,” Botha offered. “I guess the same is true with us in a sense.”
