112/5 (12.3)
CR : 8.96
105/9 (14.0)
CR : 7.50
Antwerp Anchors won by 5 wickets (DLS METHOD)
Player of the Match
Moeen Ali
0/1672(39)*
Two more needed! Moen does not want to take it to the final over.
12.3
6
Nikhil Chaudhary to Moeen Ali
SIX!!! MOEEN FINISHES IT OFF IN STYLE!!! Flighted, full, and around off. Moeen stays leg side of the delivery and clears his front leg away. Thumps it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie to seal the deal. DONE AND DUSTED!! ANTWERP ANCHORS HAVE DEFEATED JB BRUGES BY 5 WICKETS (DLS)!!!
Over 13
Antwerp Anchors 112/5
Moeen Ali72(39)
Tom Moores14(13)
Nikhil Chaudhary0-23(1.3)
ANA won by 5 wickets (DLS METHOD)
11:18 PM IST and 7:48 PM Local Time: The Antwerp Anchors stays alive in this tourney, and credits to Moeen Ali for pulling off a magnificent knock under adverse conditions. He was the ray of sunshine sneaking through the dark clouds of uncertainity for the Anchors in this contest.
Arriving for the chase, the ploy to bring on Dipendra Singh Airee early inside the powerplay worked in favours of JB Bruges. He induced early couple of blows in a three-wicket powerplay (4.1 overs), sending the opposition on the back foot. J Smit was promoted up the order for pinch hitting and he could only add 18 off 9 balls including a couple of sixes and a four. With 44/4 at the cusp of the fifth over, Moeen Ali grafted the innings before Wihan Lubbe fell prey to a brilliant bullseye from Dipendra in the eighth over.
With Tom Moores at one end, Moeen had to take the charge in the run chase. The English veteran showcased why he is rated so highly in this format. The southpaw measured the chase well and targetted a few bowlers as per his strengths. After a productive over against Nikhil Chaudhary, he ripped apart Thomas Kaber for a couple of sixes and fours to reach to a 29-ball fifty. Eventually, ten runs were needed from twelve balls, and the southpaw finished at 72* off 39 balls to steer the Anchors past the finishing line.
Arriving for the chase, the ploy to bring on Dipendra Singh Airee early inside the powerplay worked in favours of JB Bruges. He induced early couple of blows in a three-wicket powerplay (4.1 overs), sending the opposition on the back foot. J Smit was promoted up the order for pinch hitting and he could only add 18 off 9 balls including a couple of sixes and a four. With 44/4 at the cusp of the fifth over, Moeen Ali grafted the innings before Wihan Lubbe fell prey to a brilliant bullseye from Dipendra in the eighth over.
With Tom Moores at one end, Moeen had to take the charge in the run chase. The English veteran showcased why he is rated so highly in this format. The southpaw measured the chase well and targetted a few bowlers as per his strengths. After a productive over against Nikhil Chaudhary, he ripped apart Thomas Kaber for a couple of sixes and fours to reach to a 29-ball fifty. Eventually, ten runs were needed from twelve balls, and the southpaw finished at 72* off 39 balls to steer the Anchors past the finishing line.
Winning the toss and electing to bat first after a delayed start, the JB Bruges got off to a fascinating start after Adam Rossington kicked off with some swashbuckling attitude. Lahiru Milantha player his usual game - pulled some shorter ones for boundaries and rotated the strike -- to anchor the 58 runs opening stand.
It was David Wiese who broke the stand in his first over during the last over of the powerplay. Right after, wickets started crumbling amidst a rain break that only curtailed the game to 14 over per side. Despite the resumption, the batting side struggled with the bat. Rossington was the highest run-scorer with 37, followed by Milantha (20). Wickets fell like nine pins as the Anchors' bowlers were all over their middle and lower-middle order.
It was David Wiese who broke the stand in his first over during the last over of the powerplay. Right after, wickets started crumbling amidst a rain break that only curtailed the game to 14 over per side. Despite the resumption, the batting side struggled with the bat. Rossington was the highest run-scorer with 37, followed by Milantha (20). Wickets fell like nine pins as the Anchors' bowlers were all over their middle and lower-middle order.
Mark Watt was brilliant with his smart spin, and Tristan Luus bagged a three-fer in the game as well. The Bruges struggled to get to the hundred run mark finishing at 105/9 in 14 overs.
Stay tuned for the post match presentation.
Stay tuned for the post match presentation.
Wayne Parnell (JB Bruges Captain): (On where the game was lost) "I think it actually started with the bat. We didn't have enough runs. Obviously, with the short side and the boys chasing, we were not able to experience that. They showed their class.
(On the decision to bat first in hindsight) No, it still felt like it was the right decision. I think after the first four or five overs, we were going well. Obviously, we lost wickets, came off for the rain, and then we got behind. It wasn't really a Powerplay, but then you lose nine for 47. I think credit to them. They obviously summed it up after the first five overs. They had the upper hand.
(On the upcoming one-day break and regrouping) Yeah, fingers crossed that the results go our way. But yeah, the day off will be really nice. And then obviously we'll have a couple of games over the next few days."
(On the decision to bat first in hindsight) No, it still felt like it was the right decision. I think after the first four or five overs, we were going well. Obviously, we lost wickets, came off for the rain, and then we got behind. It wasn't really a Powerplay, but then you lose nine for 47. I think credit to them. They obviously summed it up after the first five overs. They had the upper hand.
(On the upcoming one-day break and regrouping) Yeah, fingers crossed that the results go our way. But yeah, the day off will be really nice. And then obviously we'll have a couple of games over the next few days."
Martin Guptill (Antwerp Anchors Captain): "(On the plans for the game) Yes, we were pretty clear with the plans today. We bowled very well, were disciplined and did well. (During the chase when it got intense with Moeen Ali at one end) I was pretty chilled out, when you have some like Moen Ali, you have that luxury. You can see the shots as well-- he has the shots, the timing, it's always good to have someone of his experience.
(On bowling plans of Luus) He [Tristan Luus] said it to me the other day. He came out today and executed from ball one. (On asking if Martin spoke to him in front of the mirror). Uhm, in the washroom maybe, hahahaha. He is a good talent and hopefully we will see him do well in the future."
Player of the Match: Moeen Ali
Moeen Ali (Player of the Match): (On his match-winning innings and what he thought) "Just go for it. I mean, just play nice and straight. I took my time a little bit in between. Picked the bowlers whom I felt like I could hit and the guys whom I thought I could target. So yeah, it was a nice little innings.
(On arriving and playing straight away) No, it's never easy. I mean, you try to - obviously be as professional as you can and do the right things and contribute to the team winning. I couldn't really do it with the ball, so I had to sort of finish it off with the bat.
(Him bowling in the Powerplay) I don't mind. The Powerplay is always nice to bowl, actually. Today, obviously, they hit a few boundaries, but a lot of the time, you can keep people off the stumps, and guys are still a bit rusty. But I don't mind whatever role I have. I just try to do the best I can for the team."
(On arriving and playing straight away) No, it's never easy. I mean, you try to - obviously be as professional as you can and do the right things and contribute to the team winning. I couldn't really do it with the ball, so I had to sort of finish it off with the bat.
(Him bowling in the Powerplay) I don't mind. The Powerplay is always nice to bowl, actually. Today, obviously, they hit a few boundaries, but a lot of the time, you can keep people off the stumps, and guys are still a bit rusty. But I don't mind whatever role I have. I just try to do the best I can for the team."
That's it from this contest. The playoffs are open for each teams. It's been a hard-fought contest with tos and fros in the the game. We have three games to follow tomorrow and it will be interesting to see who comes out on the top before the next stage kicks on.
For now, this is Arijit Kundu bidding adieu on behalf of co-commentator Dev Rajawat and scorer Paras Yadav. Stay tuned! Toodles!
For now, this is Arijit Kundu bidding adieu on behalf of co-commentator Dev Rajawat and scorer Paras Yadav. Stay tuned! Toodles!