147/2 (17.4)
CR : 8.32
143/9 (20.0)
CR : 7.15
Northern Superchargers won by 8 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Zak Crawley
67(38)
17.1
1
C Green to H Brook
Over the wicket. Length ball on the off stump. Brook punches it to long on for a single.
17.2
1
C Green to Z Crawley
Flatter and quicker, on a length, outside off. 65 mph. Crawley pushes it to wide long on for a single.
17.3
1
C Green to H Brook
Full and outside off. Brook flicks it to deep mid wicket. Calls for two but has to settle for a single. Scores are level now.
17.4
4
C Green to Z Crawley
FOUR RUNS!!!! Crawley wins it for Northern Superchargers in front of their home crowd with a boundary!!! Full and outside off. Crawley drives it crisply to sweeper cover for a boundary to finish the game in style. The hosts get over the line with 11 balls to spare.
Over 18
Northern Superchargers 147/2
Zak Crawley67(38)
Harry Brook25(15)
Chris Green0-23(19 b)
NS won by 8 wickets
1:55 AM IST, 9:25 PM local time: Much like their Women's team did earlier today, Northern Superchargers have thumped Welsh Fire and started their campaign on the perfect note. They win by 8 wickets and with 11 balls to spare.
Last year, both the Men's and the Women's team of this franchise narrowly missed out on the qualification for the knockouts. This year, both have hit the ground running — mauling the oppositions in their respective opening games. While the ladies were imperious right from the off set, the men seemed to be up against a stiff challenge when Jonny Bairstow and Steve Smith were out in the middle.
The veterans got Welsh Fire off to an effervescent start, stitching together a 62-run partnership off 37 balls. Then, Smith got carried away. He tried to play a pre-meditated standing reverse sweep and ended up missing a straight one. And thus, the tide started to turn. Potts' two wickets in two balls, Rashid's skilful spell of wrist spin, Imad Wasim's tight lines, Lawes miserly three sets — all played their part in taming the Fire.
The total of 143/9 seemed a bit under par at the halfway mark. However, most of us still did not expect the Superchargers to make it look as easy as they did in the end.
Zak Crawley set the tone. His knock of 67* (38) exhibited the perfect mix of boldness and sturdiness. His shot selection was wise and ball-striking as clean as it gets. While he unfurled one crisp stroke after the other, his opening partner Dawid Malan too exhibited a similar intent. Though, his 29-ball-41 had some fortunate moments. But in the end, you have to make them count. Later, Harry Brook came into the middle, charged Meredith on the first ball and smoked it over long-off for a huge six — making the team's mindset loud and clear. He score an unbeaten 15-ball-25 and was there till the end when the finishing line was crossed.
Riley Meredith's 2/33 was the only saving grace for the Welsh Fire bowling.
Last year, both the Men's and the Women's team of this franchise narrowly missed out on the qualification for the knockouts. This year, both have hit the ground running — mauling the oppositions in their respective opening games. While the ladies were imperious right from the off set, the men seemed to be up against a stiff challenge when Jonny Bairstow and Steve Smith were out in the middle.
The veterans got Welsh Fire off to an effervescent start, stitching together a 62-run partnership off 37 balls. Then, Smith got carried away. He tried to play a pre-meditated standing reverse sweep and ended up missing a straight one. And thus, the tide started to turn. Potts' two wickets in two balls, Rashid's skilful spell of wrist spin, Imad Wasim's tight lines, Lawes miserly three sets — all played their part in taming the Fire.
The total of 143/9 seemed a bit under par at the halfway mark. However, most of us still did not expect the Superchargers to make it look as easy as they did in the end.
Zak Crawley set the tone. His knock of 67* (38) exhibited the perfect mix of boldness and sturdiness. His shot selection was wise and ball-striking as clean as it gets. While he unfurled one crisp stroke after the other, his opening partner Dawid Malan too exhibited a similar intent. Though, his 29-ball-41 had some fortunate moments. But in the end, you have to make them count. Later, Harry Brook came into the middle, charged Meredith on the first ball and smoked it over long-off for a huge six — making the team's mindset loud and clear. He score an unbeaten 15-ball-25 and was there till the end when the finishing line was crossed.
Riley Meredith's 2/33 was the only saving grace for the Welsh Fire bowling.
Hero of the Match: Zak Crawley
Zak Crawley (Hero of the Match): "Yeah, loved it. The boys are great. Coming here with Freddie who's a legend. The wicket is great as well. I feel the outfield was quick.
The game plan was to play our shots. Yeah, I feel me and Dawid complemented each other nicely and then skipper (Harry Brook) came in and did what he does well. He's a proper player."
The game plan was to play our shots. Yeah, I feel me and Dawid complemented each other nicely and then skipper (Harry Brook) came in and did what he does well. He's a proper player."
The home team came out on top — making it a first in the Men's hundred this year. While the Superchargers' fans have every reason to celebrate this victory, don't be surprised if they overdo it a little tonight. After all, this performance has exhibited that they might be early favourites to go all the way. They have the team on paper. Can they now execute with consistency?
We will discover the answer to that question together in the coming weeks. For now, it is time for us to wrap up this coverage. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did bringing it to you. Join us again tomorrow when Birmingham Phoenix and Trent Rockets open their campaign. Goodbye for now. 👋
The commentators for this match were Darpan Tikiya and Ajay Raghava. The scorer was Bishal Mandal!
We will discover the answer to that question together in the coming weeks. For now, it is time for us to wrap up this coverage. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did bringing it to you. Join us again tomorrow when Birmingham Phoenix and Trent Rockets open their campaign. Goodbye for now. 👋
The commentators for this match were Darpan Tikiya and Ajay Raghava. The scorer was Bishal Mandal!