Sport - Cricket

Smith doubtful for next match

Chennai: Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne revealed Graeme Smith suffered a hamstring niggle during Saturday’s IPL game here against Chennai Super Kings and indicated that the opening batsman may not be a part of the eleven for the next game.

However, Warne saw this as an opportunity to try out more youngsters and experiments in the remaining two league games.

The leg-spin legend was pleased with the manner the fringe cricketers and youngsters performed against Super Kings. He also acknowledged the start provided by Smith and Swapnil Asnodkar and made a mention of Kamran Akmal’s rollicking innings.

“I thought 200 was par for the course. But for a disappointing 19th over, we could have got 220.”

Warne conceded that the Chennai side seemed to have the contest in its grasp and termed Parthiv Patel’s dismissal as the crucial strike. He was appreciative of seamer Pankaj Singh’s display and termed Sohail Tanvir’s bowling at the death as ‘outstanding.’

Warne said the strategy against M.S. Dhoni was to have a man deep at point and bowl short and wide. Then he revealed the double bluff. “We brought the mid-off in and had a slower ball delivered at him.”

Dhoni said Chennai’s heat and humidity was taking its toll on the players but did not want to list that out as an excuse. He complimented his team for a spirited chase but added that the bowling, except for the last five overs, disappointed.

“It was not an easy target but we batted fabulously. The dot balls created the pressure in the end,” he said.

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