Cobras victory ends Bangalore's chances

South Africans join Bushrangers in semifinals

A security situation triggered by the supposed detection of traces of explosive substances in the bag of a J&K under-22 cricketer staying at the KSCA Clubhouse forced the Champions League clash between Victoria Bushrangers and Cape Cobras to begin 100 minutes behind schedule, the match reduced to 17 overs a side.

From a Royal Challengers perspective, it was imperative that the Bushrangers win, but apart from the toss, little else went right for the Australians as the Cobras raced to an eight-wicket win which was enough, as it turned out later, for them to join the Bushrangers in the semifinals of the competition.

Either unaware, or more likely unmindful, of the consequences of a Cobras victory, a full-throated gathering at the Chinnaswamy cheered for both teams, every wicket and every boundary greeted with gay abandon in what was no more than a precursor for the Royal Challengers-Delhi Daredevils clash in the night.
The Bushrangers were rocked by Monde Zondeki’s twin strikes in the first over. Rob Quiney was dismissed off the first ball of the match and fellow opener Brad Hodge fell two deliveries later without a run on the board, forcing the Bushrangers to embrace consolidation for most of the rest of the innings.

There were pockets of belligerence from Aiden Blizzard, and at the end from Andrew McDonald and Matthwe Wade, but 125 for five was never seriously going to the test the Cobras.

Aussie designs of early inroads were thwarted by Derek Brand, the unorthodox right-hander proving an able replacement for Herschelle Gibbs who, rattled by the events of the afternoon, chose not to come to the ground with the team. Brand smashed an irritable Shane Harwood around but the real star was Henry Davids, dropped twice but otherwise brilliant during an unbeaten 69 (54b, 7x4, 2x6) that took the Cobras to 129 for two with six deliveries remaining. Comfortable, indeed.

SCORE BOARD

VICTORIA BUSHRANGERS: Rob Quiney c Philander b Zondeki 0 (1b), Brad Hodge b Zondeki 0 (2b), Aiden Blizzard c Davids b Kleinveldt 22 (16b, 4x4), David Hussey c Kleinveldt b Duminy 19 (22b, 1x4, 1x6), Cameron White c Ontong b Philander 24 (30b, 2x4), Andrew McDonald (not out) 29 (22b, 2x4), Matthew Wade (not out) 18 (10b, 3x4). Extras (LB-3, W-9, NB-1) 13. Total (for 5 wkts, 17 overs) 125.

Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Quiney), 2-0 (Hodge), 3-27 (Blizzard), 4-59 (Hussey), 5-94 (White).
Bowling: Monde Zondeki 4-0-21-2 (w-2, nb-1), Rory Kleinveldt 3-0-27-1, Claude Henderson 4-0-19-0, Jean-Paul Duminy 3-0-34-1 (w-7), Vernon Philander 2-0-12-1, Sybrand Engelbrecht 1-0-9-0. Runs during Power Play: 1-5 overs: 31/3.

CAPE COBRAS: Andrew Puttick c McDoland b Siddle 4 (4b, 1x4), Derek Brand (run out) 29 (15b, 5x4, 1x6), Henry Davids (not out) 69 (54b, 7x4, 2x6), Jean-Paul Duminy (not out) 18 (23b). Extras (LB-4, W-5) 9. Total (for 2 wkts, 16 overs) 129.

Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Puttick), 2-41 (Brand).Bowling: Shane Harwood 3-0-38-0 (w-2), Peter Siddle 4-0-19-1, Clint McKay 4-0-26-0 (w-3), Jon Holland 2-0-20-0, Andrew McDonald 3-0-22-0. Runs during: Power Play: 1-5 overs: 41/1.