Martyn eases World XI to victory

World XI 145 for 2 (Martyn 67*, Vincent 43) beat India XI 141 for 5 (TP Singh 63*, Binny 37*, Van der Wath 2-12) by eight wickets
Scorecard

TP Singh's unbeaten 63 rescued the ICL India XI following a terrible start, but their total of 141 wasn't to be enough as Damien Martyn steered the ICL World XI to a comfortable eight-wicket win in the inaugural match of the fourth and latest tournament of the Indian Cricket League.

Soon after R Sathish, the India XI captain, opted to bat, his side were left in dire straits at 9 for 4. Abhishek Jhunjhunwala was out for a duck in the first over bowled by Johan van der Wath; a new rule allowing player challenges enabled the batsman appeal against the on-field umpire's decision to adjudge him lbw, but the challenge was lost as the third umpire upheld the field umpire's verdict.

Daryl Tuffey got rid of G Vignesh, the other opener, while two wickets fell in van der Wath's second over, with the 38-year-old Chris Harris producing a spectacular effort to leave his Hyderabad Heroes' team-mate Ambati Rayudu short of his crease.

The left-hand duo of TP and Rohan Gavaskar stabilised the innings with a 61-run stand. Gavaskar's run-a-ball 30 was ended by another run-out, but Stuart Binny combined well with Tejinder Pal to take India XI to 141 for 5 off 20 overs. Tejinder Pal finished on 63, which needed only 49 deliveries, and had eight fours and a six, while Binny, one of the stars in the Hyderabad Heroes' triumph in the last tournament, belted 37 off 26. van der Wath took 2 for 12 off his four overs.

On an easy pitch, the target of 142 was never going to be daunting for the World XI, but their opponents made things far simpler by spilling at least five catches in what was an abysmal performance in the field. Ian Harvey fell early, but Martyn combined with Lou Vincent in a 72-run stand. Vincent departed for a breezy 32-ball 43, and Marvan Atapattu gave Martyn company as they chased down the target with 1.3 overs and eight wickets to spare. Martyn earned the match prize for his 67 not out, which came off 53 balls and included ten fours.