That's that! Vipers get their campaign off to a wining start and it is quite fitting it is Hales with the final hit. Slower bouncer outside off, he dances down, waits for it and slaps it over mid-on for a four. Vipers win their opening game by seven wickets and also give their net run rate a boost.
Warriors vs Vipers, 4th Match at Dubai, ILT20, Jan 15 2023 - Match Result
Vipers won by 7 wickets (with 20 balls remaining)
That's it from us from today's game. Thanks for tuning in. On behalf of Abhimanyu Bose and Binoy George, this is Ashish Pant signing off. Have a good night.
Alex Hales is named Player of the Match for his 83 not out off 52 balls: Really good, awesome start to the tournament. We bowled really well to restrict them to 145. Just wanted to be busy, tried to use my feet. Luckily it worked. Naveen is a tricky customer, so is Woakesy. We just wanted to be busy, play good shots. We were lucky there was not a lot of scoreboard pressure. It is has been an enjoyable year - 2022.
Here's the winning captain, Colin Munro : Great start, we were strong with the new ball and the intensity in the field was great. It was tough to leave out Mark Watt, but Gus came in and did the job. We have a great experience around the group. I take the easy way out and let them do their job. Hales and Billings were outstanding. I was a bit taken back to be asked to captain. It is about building the environment and I think I did that. It is all about learning going in. The coaches have been great with us.
First up, Moeen Ali, the Warriors captain: We did not score enough runs. The wicket wasn't as easy as they made it look. The dew did come into play. You want to be positive and let the guys express yourselves. The wickets have done us in a little bit. We have to go hard, and if we are not, we shouldn't. Our spinners will have a role in Sharjah in two days. We have good guys and good coaching staff, it is just about not getting too disappointed and losing confidence.
9.24pm Time for presentation.
9.17pm Vipers create a template on how to chase a middling T20 total. And, it was Alex Hales leading the way all through. Vipers had a rocky start to their chase losing Rohan Mustafa and Colin Munro in the first two overs. But Hales and Sam Billings took the game forward. They started sedately but kept the scoreboard ticking. The duo added 128 runs for the third wicket off 85 balls. Hales remained unbeaten on 85 off 52 balls, while Billings fell just short of the finishing line on 49. In the end, it turned out to be an easy chase for Vipers, and they enter the points table on fourth position. Warriors after their second straight loss have a lot to think about going forward.
Back of a length outside off, he carves it to deep cover
Gets pinged on the helmet first ball! Banged in short and the extra bounce and pace deceives the batter. He wears it on the helmet as Siddique has his hand up in apology. There is a concussion check as per the rules but Rutherford is okay to carry on.
Sherfane Rutherford in
Straight up and Billings departs one short of his fifty! On a good length, he gets across wanting to get a single to square leg. Ends up getting a massive top-edge and Naveen runs in from midwicket to complete the catch.
Hales wanted to finish things off there! Dances down the track to the tossed up ball, swings at it but only miscues it to midwicket.
Dances down the track and he does not get underneath it. Ends up dragging it to deep midwicket.
Short and wide again, he goes back but hits it straight to Moeen on the bounce.
Leg-spinner but that was again very short and wide. Billings is back in his crease and slams it through covers for a four.
Tossed up outside off, was a bit fuller. He gets forward nicely and pushes it to deep point.
short into the batter, who goes back and whacks the pull to long off
Meiyappan back
Afeef: "Hales was the leading run scorer in T20 cricket for 2022. This is why..."
Strategic time-out. Not long for the end, now.
Twenty-two off the Woakes over, and he earns the bragging right over his English colleague! Slower back of a length ball outside off, he backs away and slaps it over a leaping extra cover. The ball once again races to the fence. And just like that, Vipers only need ten more to win.
Oh, Hales has taken a liking to Woakes. He wants to get back to the hotel early! Right in the arc for Hales outside off. He stays still and pummels it over long off for a massive six.
And, another! Low full toss outside off, he punches it, nothing more than that over extra cover.
Carves it over extra cover for another four! Slower off-cutter that was dug into the pitch. Hales wait for it and there are acres of empty spaces on the off side
On a good length on off, he slaps it to extra cover
That's as solid a shot as Hales as played all innings! Fuller outside off, he just punches it over the bowler's head and the timing means the fielders in the deep have no chance to reining it in.
Woakes back on
Slower short of a length ball outside off, Billings gets across and works it to deep square leg but with soft hands. And that helps them scamper back for a couple.
That's a good short ball from Siddique. Banged in short as Billings gets across and ducks under at the last moment.
Slower short of a length ball chest-high but down leg. He helps it to deep fine leg.
On a good length on off, he tips it to long on
1W | ||||
1W | ||||
Dubai International Cricket Stadium | |
Toss | Desert Vipers, elected to field first |
Series | |
Season | 2022/23 |
Player Of The Match | |
Match days | 15 January 2023 - night (20-over match) |
Umpires | |
TV Umpire | |
Reserve Umpire | |
Match Referee | |
Points | Desert Vipers 2, Sharjah Warriors 0 |
Over 17 • DV 148/3