CL 2010, Match 9: Raina, Vijay maul their way to massive win

Chennai v Wayamba, CLT20, Centurion
September 15, 2010

Suresh Raina and M Vijay absolutely mauled the hapless Wayamba attack, scoring 155 off 90 balls between them, which turned out to be 52 more than what their opponents managed in total. The flat SuperSport Park pitch, the short boundaries, and the lightning-quick outfield were made for the death of the bowlers. It didn't help that Wayamba indulged in some drunk-driving themselves: bowling too short, too full, or just too many gentle length deliveries. Raina and Vijay played the perfect Grim Reapers.

Every once in a while everything goes right for Vijay. The pitch doesn't have much lateral movement, the bowlers keep giving him length balls, and he looks a million dollars with his flicks, drives and half-pulls. Tonight seemed to be one of those million-dollar nights until Raina came and stole his thunder, scoring 87 off 44 in the 137-run stand over 12 overs.

Even as Matthew Hayden struggled to 10 off 18, Vijay had swaggered to 28 off 15 in the opening partnership. The lack of real pace and variety in the Wayamba attack allowed him to just clear the front leg, and either flick over the infield or play short-arm pulls. The fifth over of the innings, bowled by Chanaka Welegedara, that went for 23 started the glut. Apart from the usual Vijay hitting over midwicket, it included a remarkable four where he went deep into the crease, converted a yorker into a low full toss and flicked it past midwicket. Read more...

Brief Score:
Chennai Super Kings 200 for 3 (Raina 87, Vijay 68) beat Wayamba 103 (Ashwin 4-18, Morkel 3-22) by 97 runs

Courtesy: cricinfo.com

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