CL T20: Redbacks beat raging Lions

Agencies

Centurion, 13 September 2010: South Australia started off their Champions League T20 campaign with an 11-run victory over Highveld Lions at the SuperSport Park, Centurion, on Sunday.

Redbacks’ skipper played a match-winning knock of 78 off 48 balls, which was ably supported by Callum Ferguson’s 47 off 27.

In reply, just like Michael Klinger ensured Redbacks’ reach a respectable total in their innings, Petersen too tried to stay at the wicket with his fifty. But his dismissal, together with an unnecessary run-out of Zander de Bruyn, set a difficult task for the remaining batsmen.

Despite a wayward start, one of the fastest bowlers around - Shaun Tait, cleaned up Jonathan Vandiar in the first over of Lions’ innings as they started their 179-run chase on Sunday.

 

Earlier, Michael Klinger’s first T20 fifty (78 off 48) helped his side put up a challenging total of 178 against Highveld Lions after being asked to bat first by Alviro Petersen.

Callum Ferguson, too, matched his captain stroke-for-stroke and hit a quickfire 47 off 27.

Daniel Harris (13) and Graham Manou (12) fell cheaply before opener Klinger found a helpful partner in Australia international Callum Ferguson.

The pair combined for a 97-run partnership in under 10 overs to boost the Redbacks’ hopes of starting their Champions League campaign with victory.

The home team - Lions - got a big jolt before the match as Shane Burger, who first clean bowled Sachin Tendulkar and disturbed the timber of Kieron Polard in Friday’s opener, would miss the match because of an injury.

Teams:

Lions: Jonathan Vandiar, Alviro Petersen (C), Neil McKenzie, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Zander de Bruyn, Thami Tsolekile (WK), Richard Cameron, Robert Frylinck, Werner Coetsee, Aaron Phangiso, Ethan O’Reilly

Redbacks: Daniel Harris, Michael Klinger (C), Graham Manou (Wk), Callum Ferguson, Cameron Borgas, Daniel Christian, Tom Cooper, Aaron O’Brien, Cullen Bailey, Gary Putland, Shaun Tait