Cape Town: DLF Indian Premier League chairman Lalit Modi has said 90 per cent of the tickets for the Twenty20 mega event starting on Saturday have been sold at the eight venues.
"The ticket prices had been aimed at filling the stadiums," said Modi, ahead of the event which will start with Chennai Super Kings taking on Mumbai Indians in the first match of the day on Saturday. Modi said. “Although the IPL would be returning to India next year, the long-term vision is to turn it into a global brand, much the same way as the English Football Premier League.”
"Spectators will see world's best players playing competitive cricket and it is made more compelling because of the competitive instincts of the players," he added. The IPL chief said an important aspect of the marketing of the competition was advertising and Rand 120 million ($ 10 million) have been earmarked to attract spectators to the games.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
IPL merchandise doing brisk sales
NEW DELHI: From T-shirts to caps, key chains to pens, lassi glasses to chewing gum, owners of teams in the DLF Indian Premier League have rolled out an array of merchandise to mark the second season of the Twenty20 tournament.
Estimates from three executives in three different IPL franchisees, indicated that the teams are looking at selling merchandise worth a combined Rs 35 to 40 crore this year. The teams’ own share of this amount is likely to be around Rs 6 to 8 crore, the rest of the money going to merchandise partners and licensees.
Chennai Super Kings has tied up in merchandising deals with retailer Future Group, chewing-gum maker Wrigley, pen-maker Camlin Ltd and Pepsi.
“This season, we expect around eight to 10 per cent of our revenues other than that from central pool to come from merchandise,” said India Cements Marketing Head Rakesh Singh. “Even our existing partners, sportswear retailer Reebok India and men’s apparel maker, Peter England are working on an affordable range of apparel.”
Mohali-based Kings XI Punjab, co-owned by Preity Zinta, is looking at selling items such as lassi (butter milk) glasses, mugs, badges and special autographed items at points of ticket sales. The team also has a tie-up for merchandise with textile manufacturer Bombay Dyeing and Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
The company that makes steel products for King’s XI Punjab is targeting sales of up to Rs 12 crore in five years. And it has an online partner as well in e-Bay. “We are delighted to partner with Hot Muggs to power the sale of these exquisite IPL merchandise to cater to the wide interests of its online shoppers. We are sure true cricket fans will be thrilled to buy and own merchandise at great prices," said e-Bay India Senior Manager Ms. Deepa Thomas.
Kolkata Knight Riders, the team co-owned by actor Shah Rukh Khan, is also expanding its portfolio of products. The big players like Reebok, adidas, BDM and Kookaburra are all in the game. "Never before have replica jerseys been so popular with the cricket crazy nation until SRK stood tall in his 12th-man jersey in the last season of the mega event," says Reebok India’s SS Prem.
Delhi Daredevils, owned by GMR Holdings Ltd, tied up with sportswear maker adidas India last year. It has also tied up with Delhi-based garment maker Genesis India. “Genesis will not only make items such as cheering signs, posters and key chains for us, but also non-branded T-shirts at lower price points,” said Delhi Daredevil marketing manager Vidur Naik. “This time, the Adidas merchandise will be available at 71 stores, up from 45 stores last year.”
One of the primary reasons for the stress on affordable prices is to check sales of fake products that are available at much cheaper prices. “Counterfeiting is a big problem here (in India). Last time, I saw a lot of fans wearing fake T-shirts. Availability of more affordable original products will help plug this hole,” said Deccan Chargers vice-president Darshan M.
Even as efforts to build the merchandise portfolio gain ground, most franchisees say it will take the segment some time to generate substantial sales. While sports merchandising contributes 30 to 35 per cent of total revenue of most sports bodies in evolved markets, it is still a nascent concept in India. The biggest chunk of revenue for the eight franchisees comes from the central pool, which includes media rights and sponsorship.
Estimates from three executives in three different IPL franchisees, indicated that the teams are looking at selling merchandise worth a combined Rs 35 to 40 crore this year. The teams’ own share of this amount is likely to be around Rs 6 to 8 crore, the rest of the money going to merchandise partners and licensees.
Chennai Super Kings has tied up in merchandising deals with retailer Future Group, chewing-gum maker Wrigley, pen-maker Camlin Ltd and Pepsi.
“This season, we expect around eight to 10 per cent of our revenues other than that from central pool to come from merchandise,” said India Cements Marketing Head Rakesh Singh. “Even our existing partners, sportswear retailer Reebok India and men’s apparel maker, Peter England are working on an affordable range of apparel.”
Mohali-based Kings XI Punjab, co-owned by Preity Zinta, is looking at selling items such as lassi (butter milk) glasses, mugs, badges and special autographed items at points of ticket sales. The team also has a tie-up for merchandise with textile manufacturer Bombay Dyeing and Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
The company that makes steel products for King’s XI Punjab is targeting sales of up to Rs 12 crore in five years. And it has an online partner as well in e-Bay. “We are delighted to partner with Hot Muggs to power the sale of these exquisite IPL merchandise to cater to the wide interests of its online shoppers. We are sure true cricket fans will be thrilled to buy and own merchandise at great prices," said e-Bay India Senior Manager Ms. Deepa Thomas.
Kolkata Knight Riders, the team co-owned by actor Shah Rukh Khan, is also expanding its portfolio of products. The big players like Reebok, adidas, BDM and Kookaburra are all in the game. "Never before have replica jerseys been so popular with the cricket crazy nation until SRK stood tall in his 12th-man jersey in the last season of the mega event," says Reebok India’s SS Prem.
Delhi Daredevils, owned by GMR Holdings Ltd, tied up with sportswear maker adidas India last year. It has also tied up with Delhi-based garment maker Genesis India. “Genesis will not only make items such as cheering signs, posters and key chains for us, but also non-branded T-shirts at lower price points,” said Delhi Daredevil marketing manager Vidur Naik. “This time, the Adidas merchandise will be available at 71 stores, up from 45 stores last year.”
One of the primary reasons for the stress on affordable prices is to check sales of fake products that are available at much cheaper prices. “Counterfeiting is a big problem here (in India). Last time, I saw a lot of fans wearing fake T-shirts. Availability of more affordable original products will help plug this hole,” said Deccan Chargers vice-president Darshan M.
Even as efforts to build the merchandise portfolio gain ground, most franchisees say it will take the segment some time to generate substantial sales. While sports merchandising contributes 30 to 35 per cent of total revenue of most sports bodies in evolved markets, it is still a nascent concept in India. The biggest chunk of revenue for the eight franchisees comes from the central pool, which includes media rights and sponsorship.
IPL to impose fines for slow over-rates
Cape Town: In an attempt to deliberately minimise match-time delays, the DLF Indian Premier League has decided to levy heavy fines on teams which resort to slow over rates.
A fine of USD 20,000 will be levied on the captain for a first offence and USD 220,000 on the entire team for the second. The third offence will result in a team fine of USD 360,000 and a one-match ban for the captain.
“Last year we found that 59 out of 59 games went overtime by as high as 45 to 50 minutes or an hour, “said the Commissioner and Chairman of IPL, Lalit Modi. “Each game was being dragged further and further. The reasons were that players were going back and forth with messages and there was a lot of tactics being decided from time to time. So we decided that we’re going to tighten those as far as overs are concerned, time of overs is concerned and time of play is concerned.” he added
A fine of USD 20,000 will be levied on the captain for a first offence and USD 220,000 on the entire team for the second. The third offence will result in a team fine of USD 360,000 and a one-match ban for the captain.
“Last year we found that 59 out of 59 games went overtime by as high as 45 to 50 minutes or an hour, “said the Commissioner and Chairman of IPL, Lalit Modi. “Each game was being dragged further and further. The reasons were that players were going back and forth with messages and there was a lot of tactics being decided from time to time. So we decided that we’re going to tighten those as far as overs are concerned, time of overs is concerned and time of play is concerned.” he added
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
ICL India beat ICL Pakistani by 4 wickets
The 2nd match of the ICL 20s World Series featured the big battle between traditional rivals & defending champions ICL India & the star studded ICL Pakistani. R Sathish won the toss and put the ICL Pakistani in to bat.
The usually explosive opening duo of the two Imrans (Farhat & Nazir) could not get off to their usual start, with ICL India debutant Jesuraj scalping Farhat in the first over, without troubling the scorers. Jesuraj struck again in the 3rd over, cutting short the promising innings of Imran Nazir (16) to leave the Pakistani dugout in a bit of a concern at 23/2. The five over mark had the Pakistani scorecard reading 44/2.
The inform Rana Naved in company of the promising Shahid Yousuf got into the repair act right away taking the score to 73 in the 8thover till Vignesh picked up Yousuf with 13 runs against his name. Sathish introduced his premier spinner for a second spell in the crucial 10th over who struck immediately with his first ball, getting the big wicket of Rana Naved out for a 44 off 31 balls, laced with 7 fours and one six. The half way mark of the Pakistani innings had the game at “Evens-Stevens”, with the scorecard reading 83/4. The middle overs had Inzamam & Razzaq working up a wonderful partnership looking good in the middle till the prodigal Murtaza picked his second scalp in form of the legendary Inzamam for a well made 24. Razzaq too perished to an irresponsible shot in the 15th over to give ICL India the upper hand at the Pakistani score of 118/6 at that stage of the innings. Loss of wickets at regular intervals compounded by some smart bowling in the death overs by the young Indian side; restricted the Pakistani total at 165/9 in their allotted 20 overs. For the ICL India side it was the wily Murtaza & debutant Jesuraj who emerged the most successful bowlers picking 3 wickets a piece.
The Indian chase got off to an indifferent start with Vignesh run out early at the Indian score of 13 in only the 2nd over of the innings. The five over mark had the Indians in a steady position placed at 40/1 & the young Hyderabadi duo of Rayudu & Khaleel battling it out in the middle. Both batsmen were playing sensible cricket with some percentage shots brining their fifty run partnership off 37 balls in the 7th over. Just when the partnership was taking a dangerous turn Khaleel, was scalped by the experienced Arshad Khan in the 9th over, for a well made 36, ending the 67 run partnership for the 2nd wicket. The half way mark of the Indian innings had the score card reading 85/2, needing another 81 runs off 60 balls.
Just when it seemed easy sailing for the Indians, cheap dismissals of Binny & Sathish brought the Pakistanis right backing the match in the crucial middle overs. Rayudu was however playing the sheath anchor role to perfection brining his 4th ICL fifty off 37 balls laced with 6 fours and 1 six. With five overs to go the Indians needed just 38 runs to win off 30 balls with the prodigal Rayudu looking in solid touch in the middle. The Pakistanis were not going to go down without a fight and Razzaq brought back the Pakistanis with the big wicket of Rayudu in the 16th over out for a 65. A wicket off the last ball of the 18th Sami over in form of Abbas Ali had the high pressure game wide open at the penultimate over stage at the Indian score of 153/6, needing 13 runs off 12 balls. Badani was playing a crucial knock for the Indians brining in al his international experience in play in the high pressure situation. In the end it was the crucial knock of 32 off 22 balls by the experienced Badani that sealed a brilliant victory of the young Indian side.
The usually explosive opening duo of the two Imrans (Farhat & Nazir) could not get off to their usual start, with ICL India debutant Jesuraj scalping Farhat in the first over, without troubling the scorers. Jesuraj struck again in the 3rd over, cutting short the promising innings of Imran Nazir (16) to leave the Pakistani dugout in a bit of a concern at 23/2. The five over mark had the Pakistani scorecard reading 44/2.
The inform Rana Naved in company of the promising Shahid Yousuf got into the repair act right away taking the score to 73 in the 8thover till Vignesh picked up Yousuf with 13 runs against his name. Sathish introduced his premier spinner for a second spell in the crucial 10th over who struck immediately with his first ball, getting the big wicket of Rana Naved out for a 44 off 31 balls, laced with 7 fours and one six. The half way mark of the Pakistani innings had the game at “Evens-Stevens”, with the scorecard reading 83/4. The middle overs had Inzamam & Razzaq working up a wonderful partnership looking good in the middle till the prodigal Murtaza picked his second scalp in form of the legendary Inzamam for a well made 24. Razzaq too perished to an irresponsible shot in the 15th over to give ICL India the upper hand at the Pakistani score of 118/6 at that stage of the innings. Loss of wickets at regular intervals compounded by some smart bowling in the death overs by the young Indian side; restricted the Pakistani total at 165/9 in their allotted 20 overs. For the ICL India side it was the wily Murtaza & debutant Jesuraj who emerged the most successful bowlers picking 3 wickets a piece.
The Indian chase got off to an indifferent start with Vignesh run out early at the Indian score of 13 in only the 2nd over of the innings. The five over mark had the Indians in a steady position placed at 40/1 & the young Hyderabadi duo of Rayudu & Khaleel battling it out in the middle. Both batsmen were playing sensible cricket with some percentage shots brining their fifty run partnership off 37 balls in the 7th over. Just when the partnership was taking a dangerous turn Khaleel, was scalped by the experienced Arshad Khan in the 9th over, for a well made 36, ending the 67 run partnership for the 2nd wicket. The half way mark of the Indian innings had the score card reading 85/2, needing another 81 runs off 60 balls.
Just when it seemed easy sailing for the Indians, cheap dismissals of Binny & Sathish brought the Pakistanis right backing the match in the crucial middle overs. Rayudu was however playing the sheath anchor role to perfection brining his 4th ICL fifty off 37 balls laced with 6 fours and 1 six. With five overs to go the Indians needed just 38 runs to win off 30 balls with the prodigal Rayudu looking in solid touch in the middle. The Pakistanis were not going to go down without a fight and Razzaq brought back the Pakistanis with the big wicket of Rayudu in the 16th over out for a 65. A wicket off the last ball of the 18th Sami over in form of Abbas Ali had the high pressure game wide open at the penultimate over stage at the Indian score of 153/6, needing 13 runs off 12 balls. Badani was playing a crucial knock for the Indians brining in al his international experience in play in the high pressure situation. In the end it was the crucial knock of 32 off 22 balls by the experienced Badani that sealed a brilliant victory of the young Indian side.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
ICL World beat ICL Bangladesh by 12 runs
The Inaugural match of the ICL 20s World Series featured the spirited ICL – Bangladesh take on the formidable ICL- World at the Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad. In the end it was a disciplined effort from the ICL –World compounded by a batting failure from the usually strong Bangladesh batting that saw the World side win the tournament opener by a comprehensive margin of 12 runs. Lance Klusener was declared man of the match for all round performance that included an anchoring half century followed by three wickets in the crucial middle overs.
Start of the play saw Habib Ul Bashar won the toss and elected to field wanting to take first advantage of the freshly laid pitch. The World side opened with the formidable combination of Harvey & Goodwin who got off to a quick start racing off to 21 in the second over, till Harvey played a cut shot straight in the hands Kapali, at point off Baisya. Bashar introduced his experienced spinner Mohammad Rafique as early as the third over who struck immediately, castling the dangerous Martyn, to leave the world side in a bit of a bother at 22/2. Rafique struck again in the 5th over, getting the big wicket of Murray Goodwin for a well made 27 off 16 balls that included six hits to the boundary. The five over mark had the ICL-World side placed at 41/3.
Boje & Klusener got into the repair act right away playing some percentage strokes; working up a strong partnership worth over 50 runs at that stage of the match, to take the score to 91/3 at the half way mark of the ICL-World innings. The 55 run partnership for the 4th wicket came to an end in the11th over, with a failed reverse sweep attempt by Boje, resulted in his stumping off Mosharraf. Boje’s innings was worth 34 runs off 23 balls; laced with 5 fours.
Lance Klusener was anchoring the ICL-World innings against a committed & disciplined effort in the field by the Bangladeshi side. Mosharraf Hossain was the pick of the bowlers in the middle overs picking up the crucial wickets of Boje & Nixon for only 30 runs in his allotted 4 overs. Klusener got about his 5th ICL fifty in the 19th over, coming off only 43 balls studded with 4 fours & 1 six. The world innings finally folded at a healthy 167/6 in their allotted 20 overs, foreseeing a interesting 2nd session. For the Bangladesh side it was their left arm spinners who were the highlight in the field, with Rafique & Hossain picking three & two wickets respectively.
The Bangladesh chase got off to a brisk start with the dangerous Nazimuddin hitting two sixes off the third over from Gillespie to race of to 20 runs off only 10 balls. However a shot too many brought his promising innings to an end in the 4th over off Andre Adams, ending the 28 run partnership for the first wicket. The five over mark had the Bangladesh side well placed, right in hunt of the challenging target at 50/1. Aftab Ahmed was looking good in the middle playing some brilliant shots all across the ground, helped by a difficult dropped chance & missed stumping to power the score to 75 in the 7thover , till he was foxed by the experienced Boje to be stumped by Nixon for a well made 29. Harris brought on Klusener in the 10th over who struck immediately with the big wicket of Alok Kapali, cheaply for 1, to bring back ICL World right backing the game. The halfway mark of the Bangladesh innings had the scorecard read 77/3; needing 91 runs off 60 balls.
A middle order collapse where the Bangladesh side lost 3 wickets in four balls had the game do a sudden U-turn, with the scorecard reading a sorry picture at 89/6 in the 13th over. It was complete hara-kiri by the Bangladesh middle order loosing 6 wickets for 16 runs in the crucial middle overs. The Bangladesh side could not quite recover from the batting fiasco, needing a nearly impossible task of needing 40 runs off the last 2 overs. A late onslaught by Rafique, Baisya and especially Mosharraf Hossain (28 runs off 21 balls) was too little too late and saw Bangladesh fall short of the target by 12runs.
Start of the play saw Habib Ul Bashar won the toss and elected to field wanting to take first advantage of the freshly laid pitch. The World side opened with the formidable combination of Harvey & Goodwin who got off to a quick start racing off to 21 in the second over, till Harvey played a cut shot straight in the hands Kapali, at point off Baisya. Bashar introduced his experienced spinner Mohammad Rafique as early as the third over who struck immediately, castling the dangerous Martyn, to leave the world side in a bit of a bother at 22/2. Rafique struck again in the 5th over, getting the big wicket of Murray Goodwin for a well made 27 off 16 balls that included six hits to the boundary. The five over mark had the ICL-World side placed at 41/3.
Boje & Klusener got into the repair act right away playing some percentage strokes; working up a strong partnership worth over 50 runs at that stage of the match, to take the score to 91/3 at the half way mark of the ICL-World innings. The 55 run partnership for the 4th wicket came to an end in the11th over, with a failed reverse sweep attempt by Boje, resulted in his stumping off Mosharraf. Boje’s innings was worth 34 runs off 23 balls; laced with 5 fours.
Lance Klusener was anchoring the ICL-World innings against a committed & disciplined effort in the field by the Bangladeshi side. Mosharraf Hossain was the pick of the bowlers in the middle overs picking up the crucial wickets of Boje & Nixon for only 30 runs in his allotted 4 overs. Klusener got about his 5th ICL fifty in the 19th over, coming off only 43 balls studded with 4 fours & 1 six. The world innings finally folded at a healthy 167/6 in their allotted 20 overs, foreseeing a interesting 2nd session. For the Bangladesh side it was their left arm spinners who were the highlight in the field, with Rafique & Hossain picking three & two wickets respectively.
The Bangladesh chase got off to a brisk start with the dangerous Nazimuddin hitting two sixes off the third over from Gillespie to race of to 20 runs off only 10 balls. However a shot too many brought his promising innings to an end in the 4th over off Andre Adams, ending the 28 run partnership for the first wicket. The five over mark had the Bangladesh side well placed, right in hunt of the challenging target at 50/1. Aftab Ahmed was looking good in the middle playing some brilliant shots all across the ground, helped by a difficult dropped chance & missed stumping to power the score to 75 in the 7thover , till he was foxed by the experienced Boje to be stumped by Nixon for a well made 29. Harris brought on Klusener in the 10th over who struck immediately with the big wicket of Alok Kapali, cheaply for 1, to bring back ICL World right backing the game. The halfway mark of the Bangladesh innings had the scorecard read 77/3; needing 91 runs off 60 balls.
A middle order collapse where the Bangladesh side lost 3 wickets in four balls had the game do a sudden U-turn, with the scorecard reading a sorry picture at 89/6 in the 13th over. It was complete hara-kiri by the Bangladesh middle order loosing 6 wickets for 16 runs in the crucial middle overs. The Bangladesh side could not quite recover from the batting fiasco, needing a nearly impossible task of needing 40 runs off the last 2 overs. A late onslaught by Rafique, Baisya and especially Mosharraf Hossain (28 runs off 21 balls) was too little too late and saw Bangladesh fall short of the target by 12runs.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Tendulkar breaks Lara's record
Sachin Tendulkar went past Brian Lara's tally of 11,953 Test runs.
Sachin Tendulkar steered Peter Siddle towards the third-man boundary for three runs to break Brian Lara's record for most Test runs. The record stood for nearly two years after Lara played his final Test and it was inevitable that Tendulkar would eventually break it. As the day progressed Tendulkar scored his 50th half-century and became the first player to cross the 12,000-run mark.
The disappointingly small crowd, built largely of school kids, immediately got on its feet to salute the feat, and fireworks, which continued for three minutes, went off at the PCA Stadium. Tendulkar raised his bat in the air, took his helmet off, and looked up at the sky, as is his routine when he gets to a hundred. The Australian fielders rushed immediately towards him to congratulate him. Ricky Ponting, the man most likely to challenge his status of being the top run-getter, was the first man to shake his hand.
This also brought an end to the soap-opera-type frenzied anticipation for the record. Tendulkar was expected to overtake Lara in Sri Lanka recently, but he endured a poor series with the bat, scoring just 95 runs in three Tests. Then in the series-opener in Bangalore, during a fine match-saving effort in the second innings, it seemed he would get to the record, but he gifted his wicket when 15 short.
Even today the anxiety around was palpable. During the time he got to 15, India lost two wickets in moving from 146 to 179 in 10.2 overs. While he scored at a fair rate, he didn't get nearly as much strike during the period as he would have wanted. While he played 23 balls, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly faced 19 each. It was fitting, in a way, that he achieved the record against Australia, a team he has tormented several times in the past.
Coincidentally, Lara too achieved the world record against Australia, when he went past Allan Border's tally of 11,174 runs during the Adelaide Test in 2005. They remain the only three players to cross the 11,000-run mark in Tests. Though it is uncertain how long Tendulkar will prolong his Test career - which has lasted 19 years - the two players who stand the best chance of beating his eventual tally are Rahul Dravid (10,302) and Ponting (10,239).
Sachin Tendulkar steered Peter Siddle towards the third-man boundary for three runs to break Brian Lara's record for most Test runs. The record stood for nearly two years after Lara played his final Test and it was inevitable that Tendulkar would eventually break it. As the day progressed Tendulkar scored his 50th half-century and became the first player to cross the 12,000-run mark.
The disappointingly small crowd, built largely of school kids, immediately got on its feet to salute the feat, and fireworks, which continued for three minutes, went off at the PCA Stadium. Tendulkar raised his bat in the air, took his helmet off, and looked up at the sky, as is his routine when he gets to a hundred. The Australian fielders rushed immediately towards him to congratulate him. Ricky Ponting, the man most likely to challenge his status of being the top run-getter, was the first man to shake his hand.
This also brought an end to the soap-opera-type frenzied anticipation for the record. Tendulkar was expected to overtake Lara in Sri Lanka recently, but he endured a poor series with the bat, scoring just 95 runs in three Tests. Then in the series-opener in Bangalore, during a fine match-saving effort in the second innings, it seemed he would get to the record, but he gifted his wicket when 15 short.
Even today the anxiety around was palpable. During the time he got to 15, India lost two wickets in moving from 146 to 179 in 10.2 overs. While he scored at a fair rate, he didn't get nearly as much strike during the period as he would have wanted. While he played 23 balls, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly faced 19 each. It was fitting, in a way, that he achieved the record against Australia, a team he has tormented several times in the past.
Coincidentally, Lara too achieved the world record against Australia, when he went past Allan Border's tally of 11,174 runs during the Adelaide Test in 2005. They remain the only three players to cross the 11,000-run mark in Tests. Though it is uncertain how long Tendulkar will prolong his Test career - which has lasted 19 years - the two players who stand the best chance of beating his eventual tally are Rahul Dravid (10,302) and Ponting (10,239).
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Supreme Superstars make it two in row
The sixth match of the ICL20s Indian Championship featured the resurgent Ahmedabad Challenge the supremacy of the formidable Chennai Superstars at the LB stadium Hyderabad. The engrossing battle that delivered a very high standard of cricket from both sides saw the Chennai Superstars emerge winners by 35 runs. With this win Chennai Superstars made it two in a row making them one of the favorites for the title. Russel Arnold was declared man of the match for his stability personified 46 runs.
Earlier in the evening Damien Martyn, won the toss for the Rockets and elected to field. The Superstars got off to a disastrous start, with some sloppy running between the wickets seeing Harvey and Hariesh back in the dugout in the first couple of overs, leaving the Superstars reeling 5/2 in the second over. Eighteen runs off the fourth over from debutant Kunal Lal had the Superstars right back on track. Vignesh was at his swashbuckling best taking the score to 65 in the 7th over, ably supported by the experienced Arnold on the other end. Vignesh's cameo of 38 runs finally came to an end in the 8th over by Sodhi and included 2 fours and 3 sixes. A brilliant piece of fielding at gully from Murray Goodwin saw the end of Jesuraj to leave the Superstars in a bit of a bother at 82/4 in the 10th over. The loss of wickets had no effect of the Superstars' batting Juggernaut and the legendary Michael Bevan "role play definition" for his side was on full view with Sathish & Arnold playing according to the situation taking the score to 130 at the 15th over mark. At the 16th over stage the Superstars were placed at 135 /5 when a minor power failure had the VJD rule implemented, curtailing the Superstars' innings at that stage & setting the Rockets a target of 143 in 16 overs.
The Rockets reply was off to a shaky start with Rockets' performer of their previous encounter Aziz, snapped in the very first over by Shabbir Ahmed. The cheap dismissal of Ryan Campbell for 5 in the 4th over was not helping the Rockets cause and had the side in serious trouble at 15/2 at the end of the 4th over. The resurgent Reetinder Sodhi got into the repair act in company of Martyn taking the score to 44/2 at the 7th over mark. An eventful 8th over had some vintage Martyn strokes taking 15 runs off the pacy Hayward. At the half way stage of their innings the Rockets were placed at 59/2 needing another 84 runs off 48 balls and eight wickets in hand, making it a fascinating high pressure encounter. The Classy Martyn was playing a top of the drawer innings brining his well deserved fifty in the 11th over. The dangerous71 run partnership between Sodhi & Martyn for the third wicket was ended with a smart piece of fielding from Hayward, finding Sodhi short of his ground for a well made 22 in the 12th over. The quick dismissal of the Rocket's' skipper in the same over got the upper hand back to the formidable Superstars. With four overs to go the top standard match had the Rockets' needing an uphill task of 55 runs from 24 balls.
Earlier in the evening Damien Martyn, won the toss for the Rockets and elected to field. The Superstars got off to a disastrous start, with some sloppy running between the wickets seeing Harvey and Hariesh back in the dugout in the first couple of overs, leaving the Superstars reeling 5/2 in the second over. Eighteen runs off the fourth over from debutant Kunal Lal had the Superstars right back on track. Vignesh was at his swashbuckling best taking the score to 65 in the 7th over, ably supported by the experienced Arnold on the other end. Vignesh's cameo of 38 runs finally came to an end in the 8th over by Sodhi and included 2 fours and 3 sixes. A brilliant piece of fielding at gully from Murray Goodwin saw the end of Jesuraj to leave the Superstars in a bit of a bother at 82/4 in the 10th over. The loss of wickets had no effect of the Superstars' batting Juggernaut and the legendary Michael Bevan "role play definition" for his side was on full view with Sathish & Arnold playing according to the situation taking the score to 130 at the 15th over mark. At the 16th over stage the Superstars were placed at 135 /5 when a minor power failure had the VJD rule implemented, curtailing the Superstars' innings at that stage & setting the Rockets a target of 143 in 16 overs.
The Rockets reply was off to a shaky start with Rockets' performer of their previous encounter Aziz, snapped in the very first over by Shabbir Ahmed. The cheap dismissal of Ryan Campbell for 5 in the 4th over was not helping the Rockets cause and had the side in serious trouble at 15/2 at the end of the 4th over. The resurgent Reetinder Sodhi got into the repair act in company of Martyn taking the score to 44/2 at the 7th over mark. An eventful 8th over had some vintage Martyn strokes taking 15 runs off the pacy Hayward. At the half way stage of their innings the Rockets were placed at 59/2 needing another 84 runs off 48 balls and eight wickets in hand, making it a fascinating high pressure encounter. The Classy Martyn was playing a top of the drawer innings brining his well deserved fifty in the 11th over. The dangerous71 run partnership between Sodhi & Martyn for the third wicket was ended with a smart piece of fielding from Hayward, finding Sodhi short of his ground for a well made 22 in the 12th over. The quick dismissal of the Rocket's' skipper in the same over got the upper hand back to the formidable Superstars. With four overs to go the top standard match had the Rockets' needing an uphill task of 55 runs from 24 balls.
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