CLT20: As it happened - Rajasthan Royals script 30-run win over Highveld Lions

Rajasthan Royals defeated the Highveld Lions by 30 runs in Jaipur. Catch the match as it happened here (Match Scorecard | Commentary):

23:19 (IST): Brad Hodge is happy with the team's performance. "I was excited for PT [Pravin Tambe], he bowled well there. We are working to play according to the conditions and the pitch was a bit dry so I'm glad the move of playing Tambe paid off. Experience is very important in a team, few guys have that role in IPL and that's mine in Rajasthan Royals. I just try to send the ball out of the fence, pretty simply game plan for me. Sohail Tanvir has a strange action which is hard to pick when you haven't played him before, he's got the yorker, the slower ball, bouncer. We try to be a step ahead when we face him and hope it can pay off," he said.

 

23:07 (IST): And its all over! The Lions end up on 153/9 and Rajasthan win comprehensively by 30 runs to seal their 10th consecutive win at home.

 

22:56 (IST): Thami Tsolekile is cleaned up by James Faulkner. Rajasthan set to wrap it up in Jaipur.

 

22:47 (IST): Wickets continue to fall as the Lions go for the big shots. Rajasthan's bowlers maintain a tight line and length.

 

22:23 (IST): Alviro Petersen and Hardus Viljoen attempt to rebuild the innings after the initial setbacks. Lions 80/3 in 10 overs, need 104 from 60 balls.

 

22:14 (IST): Rajasthan's bowling being backed up by good fielding. All members of the team are contibuting to stifling the flow of runs for the opponents.

 

22:02 (IST): Two wickets in two balls for Vikramjeet Malik. Rajasthan in total control of the match as they now have 3 wickets inside the powerplay overs.

 

21:56 (IST): De Kock is sent back by Shane Watson. Rajasthan have their first wicket and Lions pushed on the backfoot early on in their chase.

 

21:50 (IST): Malik and Faulkner maintaining a tight line as Quinton de Kock and Dussen try to capitalise on the fielding restrictions.

 

21:41 (IST): The Lions start off in quest of 184. They will bank on a good start from their openers to ensure the upper hand in the game.

 

21:26 (IST): Brad Hodge's blistering 46 not out from 23 balls takes Rajasthan to 183/5. Over a hundred runs came in the second half of the innings and it will be a tough chase for the Lions.

 

21:11 (IST): Stuart Binny's brisk knock comes to an end and success for the Lions in the death overs as Rajasthan look to go big.

 

20:58 (IST) WICKET! Shane Watson is out, caught by Jean Symes off Lonwabo Tsotsobe, running in from deep mid wicket. Watson went for the maximum but miscued the ball high in the air, ended up being a comfortable catch. Rajasthan 111/4 after 13.5 overs.

20:54 (IST) SIX! Shane Watson ups the ante and attacks Aaron Phangiso, whose third over went for 22 runs. First ball - six over long by Watson, second ball - a four down towards straight long on. Third ball a single. Fourth ball - a four by Stuart Binny past fine leg, fifth ball a single. Final ball - a six over long off by Watson.

 

20:44 (IST): Dravid squanders a good start as he hits the ball straight to the fielder for an easy catch. Rajasthan lose their 3rd wicket. But Shane Watson is  still there so there is hope for the hosts.

20:41 (IST): Rahul Dravid looking relaxed at the crease as he plays his shots with confidence along with Shane Watson for company.

 

20:26 (IST): Another blow for Rajasthan as Sanju Samson falls cheaply. They have now lost 2 wickets inside the powerplay overs.

 

20:20 (IST): Rajasthan lose their first wicket. Rahane departs trying an uppish drive, brilliantly caught by Viljoen. Rajasthan 21/1 in 3.2 overs.

 

20:13 (IST): Rajasthan Royals are scoring at a decent run-rate. Both Rahane and Dravid look composed at the crease as they negotiate the early overs and also look to keep the scoreboard ticking.

 

20:03 (IST): A good first over for Rajasthan as 7 runs come off it. Dravid and Rahane opening the batting.

 

Highveld Lions have won the toss and put Rajasthan Royals in to bat at Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur. Lions's skipper Alviro Petersen said that they will play only one spinner in Aaron Phangiso, which means Imran Tahir has been left out. Thami Tsolekile is the extra batsman they are playing. Rajashtan skipper Rahul Dravid meanwhile told that Pravin Tambe plays for them in place of Rahul Shukla.

 

Teams (from):

Rajasthan Royals: Rahul Dravid (capt), Ajinkya Rahane, Stuart Binny, Sanju Samson (wk), Ashok Menaria, Dishant Yagnik, Vikramjeet Malik, Harmeet Singh, Rahul Shukla, Pravin Tambe, Shane Watson, Brad Hodge, James Faulkner, Kevon Cooper, Shaun Tait.

Highveld Lions: Alviro Petersen (capt), Temba Bavuma, Gulam Bodi, Quinton De Kock (wk), Neil McKenzie, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Ethan O'Reilly, Hardus Viljoen, Rassie van der Dussen, Aaron Phangiso, Dwaine Pretorius, Jean Symes, Imran Tahir, Sohail Tanvir.

Preview:

A combination of luck and good cricket has put Rajasthan Royals on a firm footing in Group A of the Champions League Twenty20 2013. Rajasthan garnered four points due to their win against Mumbai Indians in the CLT20 opener, while the washout in Ahmedabad on Monday (September 23) ensured that no other team in Group A has more than two points.

Rajasthan enjoyed a three-day break after their match against Mumbai, and will now face Highveld Lions in the second match of a double-header on Wednesday at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. However, despite the break, Rajasthan will fancy themselves in a better position with regard to match fitness, as the Lions were one of the teams affected by the Ahmedabad rain.

Rajasthan have had the advantage of being stationed in the same location, and they had a full training session on Tuesday too. The Lions will hope their training sessions before the CLT20, including a four-day camp in Potchefstroom, hold them in good stead and have taken care of any rustiness. (Read full preview here)