Smith clueless against Starc
Plays of the day from the match between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore in Chennai
George Binoy
04-May-2015
Mitchell Starc was simply too good for Dwayne Smith • BCCI
The mis-match
Dwayne Smith will be embarrassed to watch a recording of the first over of the game. He did not get bat on a single ball from Mitchell Starc. Smith tried to play at four of the first five deliveries - having left the other one - but was extremely late on the shot every time and beaten outside off stump. Starc simply readjusted his radar for the sixth delivery, homing in on the stumps instead of just outside. Smith, with stagnant feet, was woefully late again and his off stump took a beating.
Dwayne Smith will be embarrassed to watch a recording of the first over of the game. He did not get bat on a single ball from Mitchell Starc. Smith tried to play at four of the first five deliveries - having left the other one - but was extremely late on the shot every time and beaten outside off stump. Starc simply readjusted his radar for the sixth delivery, homing in on the stumps instead of just outside. Smith, with stagnant feet, was woefully late again and his off stump took a beating.
The injury
Raina drove the last ball off the eighth over firmly towards point, where Mandeep Singh - the hero of Royal Challengers' chase against Kolkata Knight Riders - dived smartly to his right to cut off the shot. The ball rolled a short distance away from Mandeep, though, and the instant reaction was to wonder why he wasn't up and haring after it to prevent runs. Immediately it was apparent that all was not well because Mandeep got up and wrung his right hand in pain, his little finger appearing to have been dislocated. His team-mates converged on him in concern and he needed to go off the field for treatment.
Raina drove the last ball off the eighth over firmly towards point, where Mandeep Singh - the hero of Royal Challengers' chase against Kolkata Knight Riders - dived smartly to his right to cut off the shot. The ball rolled a short distance away from Mandeep, though, and the instant reaction was to wonder why he wasn't up and haring after it to prevent runs. Immediately it was apparent that all was not well because Mandeep got up and wrung his right hand in pain, his little finger appearing to have been dislocated. His team-mates converged on him in concern and he needed to go off the field for treatment.
The huge hit
Super Kings boast a line-up filled with muscular batsmen who can bash the ball - Smith, McCullum, Raina, du Plessis, Dhoni, Bravo and Jadeja. The biggest six of the evening, however, was struck by small and wiry Pawan Negi, and it was humongous. He danced down the pitch to Yuzvendra Chahal and lofted straight and far with a mighty swing. The ball travelled so high that when it bounced, it bounced on the roof of the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Super Kings boast a line-up filled with muscular batsmen who can bash the ball - Smith, McCullum, Raina, du Plessis, Dhoni, Bravo and Jadeja. The biggest six of the evening, however, was struck by small and wiry Pawan Negi, and it was humongous. He danced down the pitch to Yuzvendra Chahal and lofted straight and far with a mighty swing. The ball travelled so high that when it bounced, it bounced on the roof of the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
The failed experiment
Royal Challengers had a misfiring opener of their own. Having replaced the resting Chris Gayle, Nic Maddinson was intent on charging Ishwar Pandey repeatedly. He was struck on the pad once and then missed a few other deliveries. There seemed to be little method to his aggressive approach and when the end came it was to one off the tamest deliveries he could hope to get. Maddinson charged at a straight full toss from Pandey, simply missed it with his clumsy swing, and was bowled.
Royal Challengers had a misfiring opener of their own. Having replaced the resting Chris Gayle, Nic Maddinson was intent on charging Ishwar Pandey repeatedly. He was struck on the pad once and then missed a few other deliveries. There seemed to be little method to his aggressive approach and when the end came it was to one off the tamest deliveries he could hope to get. Maddinson charged at a straight full toss from Pandey, simply missed it with his clumsy swing, and was bowled.
The hammer and feather
AB de Villiers could have beheaded Ashish Nehra had he hit the ball lower. So fierce was the drive off the front foot that all Nehra could do - and no one would have expected otherwise - was duck as the ball rocketed over him and to the straight boundary. A few balls later, de Villiers displayed a more delicate touch. With the keeper up to the stumps for the seamer, first slip standing back and a short third man in place, he dabbed Pandey late from off stump, placing it between the fielders with precision.
AB de Villiers could have beheaded Ashish Nehra had he hit the ball lower. So fierce was the drive off the front foot that all Nehra could do - and no one would have expected otherwise - was duck as the ball rocketed over him and to the straight boundary. A few balls later, de Villiers displayed a more delicate touch. With the keeper up to the stumps for the seamer, first slip standing back and a short third man in place, he dabbed Pandey late from off stump, placing it between the fielders with precision.
George Binoy is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo