Smith and Uthappa shine for Pune Warriors

Steven Smith

Smith came in with the reputation of being an excellent utility cricketer, effective with his leg-spin, brilliant in the outfield and more than handy with the bat.

His value to the side was evident in the Warriors' first game against Mumbai Indians, when, after being asked to field, they were reduced to 47 for 4 in the ninth over. While Robin Uthappa attacked, Smith ensured he received the bulk of the strike. Smith's first boundary was a streaky one, off his 20th ball, but he gained in confidence, pulling Kieron Pollard through deep square leg and thrashing Lasith Malinga over midwicket. He was enterprising as well, scooping Munaf Patel over short fine before being dismissed for 39 off 32 balls. Thanks to his efforts, the Warriors managed 38 off the last five overs and managed to defend a score of 129 successfully.

In the next game against Kings XI, Smith came in with 3.3 overs remaining and his late surge had an impact in the outcome. He smashed three sixes in four balls the same over, dispatching Bipul Sharma over his head and twice past deep midwicket. He signed off with one more in the final over. The last two overs yielded 35 runs, and the Warriors won by 22.

Robin Uthappa

Uthappa has been almost as important as Smith for the Warriors' good start to the 2012 season. He's made scores of 36 and 40 and been quite effective behind the stumps as wicketkeeper, with three catches thus far and two stumpings. Batting at No.3 in the Warriors' opening game, he helped his team recover from a tough situation with a composed innings that began steadily and then opened up. He was supported well by Smith, and combined deft touches with some power-play of his own. He struck two boundaries on either side of the wicket behind the stumps, gliding the ball through third man followed by a clip past short fine leg. In the interim he played a fierce pull. The Warriors only managed 129 in the end, but it was enough.

Against Kings XI, Uthappa did better, adding 81 in just a little over ten overs with Marlon Samuels. He warmed up with a massive six off Bipul Sharma and delivered the same treatment to Harmeet Singh over long-off. His knock of 40 helped lay a solid platform, and Smith's late surge meant the Warriors reached a score they successfully defended.

Kevon Cooper

Cooper has already impressed in his maiden IPL season, helping Rajasthan Royals start their IPL campaign with two straight wins. The Royals' batting has been their highlight but Cooper has backed his batsmen well, with spells of 4 for 26 and 3 for 28 in successive games. Against Kings XI, he made inroads into the top order with his medium-pace, removing Paul Valthaty, Shaun Marsh and Abhishek Nayar - the last two coming in the same over. He returned to bowl Piyush Chawla, helping the Royals win by 31 runs.

Against Kolkata Knight Riders, he got rid of Debabrata Das before striking through the lower order. Brett Lee had smashed 25 in quick time but was bowled by Cooper in the penultimate over the chase, and Sunil Narine then followed first ball. The Royals won by 22 runs.