Date:13/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/13/stories/2008051355131900.htm

Sport - Cricket

Watson takes Royals to victory

G. Viswanath

JAIPUR: Delhi Daredevils wilted under Shane Watson’s assault to lose its DLF-IPL cricket encounter to Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium here on Sunday.

The powerful Australian, declared Man-of-the-Match, hit thundering shots and towering sixes (74, 40b, 5x4, 5x6) and single-handedly changed the complexion of the match as Royals scripted its fifth win on home ground.

Defending a total of 156, Daredevils strove to compete against the odds. A.B. de Villiers and Virender Sehwag pounced on mistakes made by the rival batsmen and Royals looked vulnerable.

Delhi sustained the pressure, but once Watson pulled Yomahesh for a six over midwicket and targeted him to accelerate Royals’ scoring rate from a mere three an over in the first five, events changed dramatically.

Though leg-spinner Amit Mishra captured the wickets of Graeme Smith and Ravindra Jadeja, it was not enough.

Watson fell when the Royals was seven short of the target. He was declared out after umpire Steve Davis referred the appeal to the third umpire.

Seamers deliver

Earlier, Royals depended on its seamers to deliver the goods. They responded in an admirable manner and restricted Daredevils to 156.

The scores: Delhi Daredevils: 156 for seven in 20 overs.

Rajasthan Royals: Y. Pathan (run out) 8, G. Smith c Yomahesh b Mishra 24, M. Kaif (run out) 1, S. Watson (run out) 74, R. Jadeja b Mishra 6, D. Mascarenhas b Sehwag 9, S. Warne b Maharoof 11, N. Patel (not out) 4, M. Rawat (not out) 5; Extras (b-2, lb-7, nb-3, w-5): 17; Total (for seven wkts. in 19.1 overs): 159.

Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-15, 3-86, 4-99, 5-127, 6-150, 7-150.

Delhi Daredevils bowling: McGrath 4-0-12-0, Maharoof 4-0-22-1, Sangwan 4-0-33-0, Yomahesh 2.1-0-35-0, Mishra 3-0-27-2, Sehwag 2-0-21-1.