CENTURION, South Africa, CMC – Victoria Bushrangers maintained their hopes of reaching the Champions League Twenty20 semi-finals when they beat hapless Wayamba of Sri Lanka by eight wickets yesterday.
Chasing a paltry 107 for victory, Victoria raced to their target with over six overs to spare, to remain in the hunt for a final four spot in a competitive Group A.
They completed their quota of games with six points from three wins and a loss, and will now await the outcome of tomorrow’s crucial clash between group winners Warriors and Chennai Super Kings.
It was their clinical bowling and fielding that sent Wayamba tumbling for 106 off 16.3 overs after the Sri Lankans won the toss and chose to bat at SuperSport Park.
Test batsman Mahela Jayawardene smashed 51 from 40 balls at the top of the order after Wayamba slipped to nine for two in the second over.
He stroked seven fours and a six as he shared a 72-run third wicket stand with Jehan Mubarak whose 44 required 30 balls and included five fours and two sixes.
Nicely perched at 81 for two after the 10th over, Wayamba then lost their last eight wickets for 25 runs in 33 balls as Test fast bowler Peter Siddle snared four for 29 to help bring a swift end to the innings.
Wayamba had a slight look-in at 31 for two in the sixth over but David Hussey slammed an unbeaten 47 from 28 balls and Aaron Finch, 38 from 36 balls in an unbroken 77-run third wicket stand to see Victoria home.
The Sri Lankan side has now lost all three matches in the tournament.
