PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa, CMC – Victoria Bushrangers handed Chennai Super Kings their first loss of the Champions League Twenty20 yesterday while keeping their hopes alive of reaching the semi-finals of the lucrative showpiece.
They beat the reigning Indian Premier League champs courtesy of the one-over eliminator, after scores were tied on 162 at the end of the game at St George’s Park.
David Hussey, who had top-scored with 51 for Victoria in their run chase, then slammed three sixes in the super over from off-spinner Ravi Ashwin as the Australians gathered 23 runs
Murali Vijay and Suresh Raina had no such luck, however, and could only muster 13 in reply for Chennai.
Chasing 163, Aaron Finch slammed a robust 41 from 17 balls with four fours and three sixes as he dominated a 43-run first wicket stand with Brad Hodge (6) to get the innings off to a spectacular start.
When both batsmen fell in successive overs, Hussey and Matthew Wade (31) added another 55 for the third wicket to sustain the momentum.
Seemingly in a good position at 140 for four in the 18th over, Victoria then lost their last six overs for 22 runs to squander the win in regular time.
Raina was the leading bowler, grabbing four for 26 with his off-spin while Muttiah Muralitharan (2-17) and left-arm seamer Doug Bollinger (2-40) finished with two wickets apiece.
Earlier, Vijay hammered 73 from 53 balls with five fours and four sixes to be the foundation of Chennai’s innings after they won the toss and batted.
