Blizzard hands over his luck to Pandey
Plays of the day from the first Champions League T20 semi-final between Kolkata Knight Riders and Hobart Hurricanes
Sidharth Monga
02-Oct-2014
Second time lucky for Xavier Doherty • BCCI
The streak ends
Not Kolkata Knight Riders' winning streak. Aiden Blizzard's lucky streak. At one point the tournament's highest run-getter, Blizzard has enjoyed a fair bit of luck. During a staggering 78 against Cape Cobras, he 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. He enjoyed two reprieves against Barbados Tridents. On the big day, though, he fell lbw first ball after hitting the cover off the ball with his inside edge. The man flying the flag for the tournament's poor umpiring on this occasion was S Ravi.
Not Kolkata Knight Riders' winning streak. Aiden Blizzard's lucky streak. At one point the tournament's highest run-getter, Blizzard has enjoyed a fair bit of luck. During a staggering 78 against Cape Cobras, he 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. He enjoyed two reprieves against Barbados Tridents. On the big day, though, he fell lbw first ball after hitting the cover off the ball with his inside edge. The man flying the flag for the tournament's poor umpiring on this occasion was S Ravi.
The replay
As Hurricanes captain Xavier Doherty was about to let go the first ball of the sixth over, Robin Uthappa pulled out. Doherty was well within his rights to bowl the delivery, which hit the stumps. Hurricanes appealed, half in jest, but one of these days this late pulling out is going to cause a controversy. Just to rub it in, Uthappa hit the first legal ball of the sixth over for four. In the eight over, though, Uthappa showed Doherty all the stumps again, this time by charging out of the crease and making room. Doherty was full and straight again, and eventually had his man bowled.
As Hurricanes captain Xavier Doherty was about to let go the first ball of the sixth over, Robin Uthappa pulled out. Doherty was well within his rights to bowl the delivery, which hit the stumps. Hurricanes appealed, half in jest, but one of these days this late pulling out is going to cause a controversy. Just to rub it in, Uthappa hit the first legal ball of the sixth over for four. In the eight over, though, Uthappa showed Doherty all the stumps again, this time by charging out of the crease and making room. Doherty was full and straight again, and eventually had his man bowled.
The cheer
At 5.54pm, about 20 minutes after the act, the big screen at the Uppal stadium informed the crowd of India's gold medal win in hockey, after a tense tiebreaker against Pakistan, in the Asian games. It resulted in an almighty cheer that might have been the loudest of the tournament so far. It was also proper confirmation to mobile network operators and ground authorities that there is no network in Indian grounds.
At 5.54pm, about 20 minutes after the act, the big screen at the Uppal stadium informed the crowd of India's gold medal win in hockey, after a tense tiebreaker against Pakistan, in the Asian games. It resulted in an almighty cheer that might have been the loudest of the tournament so far. It was also proper confirmation to mobile network operators and ground authorities that there is no network in Indian grounds.
The charmed life
Hurricanes had already missed two run-outs when Manish Pandey set off for a risky single in the 13th over. Jacques Kallis sent him back, but Pandey didn't make it in time. To his relief he saw the throw miss the stumps. However, when he went hard at the ball a couple of deliveries later, he edged it to the keeper. Even before he would have had the time to think of what if the single had been taken, Pandey was asked to wait by the umpires. Replays showed Ben Hilfenhaus had overstepped. And to rub it in for Hurricanes, Pandey followed it up with two fours off the next two balls.
Hurricanes had already missed two run-outs when Manish Pandey set off for a risky single in the 13th over. Jacques Kallis sent him back, but Pandey didn't make it in time. To his relief he saw the throw miss the stumps. However, when he went hard at the ball a couple of deliveries later, he edged it to the keeper. Even before he would have had the time to think of what if the single had been taken, Pandey was asked to wait by the umpires. Replays showed Ben Hilfenhaus had overstepped. And to rub it in for Hurricanes, Pandey followed it up with two fours off the next two balls.
Sidharth Monga is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo