Tridents' brain wave, and Blizzard's luck
Plays of the day from the Group B match between Barbados Tridents and Hobart Hurricanes in Mohali
Rachna Shetty
28-Sep-2014
Aiden Blizzard failed to capitalise on not one, but two dropped chances • BCCI
The brain freeze
As captain and wicketkeeper of the side, Tim Paine rarely has the luxury of taking a moment off. But he was caught napping in the ninth over of the Barbados Tridents innings when he missed a straightforward stumping. Jonathan Carter had stepped out to counter Shoaib Malik but played across the line and Paine barely moved as the ball passed him to trickle away to the boundary.
As captain and wicketkeeper of the side, Tim Paine rarely has the luxury of taking a moment off. But he was caught napping in the ninth over of the Barbados Tridents innings when he missed a straightforward stumping. Jonathan Carter had stepped out to counter Shoaib Malik but played across the line and Paine barely moved as the ball passed him to trickle away to the boundary.
The lesson that wasn't learned
In their last league match against Cape Cobras, Tridents had three run-outs in their innings. On Sunday, against Hurricanes, it seemed the lesson still hadn't been learned. Tridents were struggling at 104 for 8 in the 18th over when Rayad Emrit pushed a delivery from Ben Laughlin towards mid-off and set off for a single. Non-striker Kyle Mayers, however, barely moved and Paine had plenty of time to take off the bails at the striker's end.
In their last league match against Cape Cobras, Tridents had three run-outs in their innings. On Sunday, against Hurricanes, it seemed the lesson still hadn't been learned. Tridents were struggling at 104 for 8 in the 18th over when Rayad Emrit pushed a delivery from Ben Laughlin towards mid-off and set off for a single. Non-striker Kyle Mayers, however, barely moved and Paine had plenty of time to take off the bails at the striker's end.
The brain wave
Three balls into the Hurricanes innings, Tridents came up with an inspired field placement, bringing Neil McKenzie into short mid-off for Ben Dunk. The batsman had played a drive off the last ball, a probable boundary that was saved only because the ball hit Tim Paine. Dunk repeated that shot again, off the fourth ball, playing on the up. This time, though, McKenzie was ready and dived quickly to his right to send Dunk back for a duck.
Three balls into the Hurricanes innings, Tridents came up with an inspired field placement, bringing Neil McKenzie into short mid-off for Ben Dunk. The batsman had played a drive off the last ball, a probable boundary that was saved only because the ball hit Tim Paine. Dunk repeated that shot again, off the fourth ball, playing on the up. This time, though, McKenzie was ready and dived quickly to his right to send Dunk back for a duck.
The agony
Seven balls after he helped get rid of Dunk, McKenzie had a chance to pick up a second, good catch. Ravi Rampaul cramped Aiden Blizzard for room and the batsman ended up trying to force a late cut. The ball went to the left of McKenzie at first slip who could not hold on to it despite a diving attempt.
Seven balls after he helped get rid of Dunk, McKenzie had a chance to pick up a second, good catch. Ravi Rampaul cramped Aiden Blizzard for room and the batsman ended up trying to force a late cut. The ball went to the left of McKenzie at first slip who could not hold on to it despite a diving attempt.
The lucky streak
One can't deny that Aiden Blizzard has enjoyed a fair bit of luck on his way to becoming the tournament's top run-getter. During a staggering 78 against Cape Cobras, Blizzard was dismissed off a no-ball from Vernon Philander. He was dropped by Northern Knights' Ish Sodhi for 2 before he belted a 43-ball 62. Tridents might have been contemplating similar treatment having given him two reprieves. After McKenzie put down a tough grab at slip, Raymon Reifer let the ball go through at square leg. Blizzard, however, did not hammer another fifty and fell for 21 to Dilshan Munaweera.
One can't deny that Aiden Blizzard has enjoyed a fair bit of luck on his way to becoming the tournament's top run-getter. During a staggering 78 against Cape Cobras, Blizzard was dismissed off a no-ball from Vernon Philander. He was dropped by Northern Knights' Ish Sodhi for 2 before he belted a 43-ball 62. Tridents might have been contemplating similar treatment having given him two reprieves. After McKenzie put down a tough grab at slip, Raymon Reifer let the ball go through at square leg. Blizzard, however, did not hammer another fifty and fell for 21 to Dilshan Munaweera.
Rachna Shetty is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo