CLT20: Otago Volts and Rajhastan Royals set up Group A decider with crucial victories

Otago Volts continued their unbeaten record in CLT20 with a nail-biting Super Over victory over Highveld Lions that sets up a Group A decider with Rajhastan Royals.The Volts, considered by some to be among the tournament favourites, narrowly edged out the Lions after the original match was tied because they hit a greater percentage of their runs through boundaries in the match.

For the first time in the tournament, Otago were put under pressure with a brilliant 109 off 63 balls from Quinton de Kock, the Lions’ exciting 20-year-old batsman, guiding them to a competitive 167 for four. He hit 10 fours and five sixes and helped add 83 from the last six overs.

Otago cricket team (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Otago appeared to be struggling in reply until Jimmy Neesham, the Volts 23-year-old all-rounder, hit 52 off 25 balls, to help add 64 from the final five overs, tie the match and set up the Super Over.

Chosen to open in the Super Over, he hit a four off Sohail Tanvir’s first ball, while captain Brendan McCullum hit a six off the last to help them reach 13, but the Lions looked like they would snatch it when de Kock hit Neesham’s first two balls for a four and a six.

Neesham, named man of the match, bounced back though and limited the Lions to three runs from his last four balls to secure a thrilling victory for Otago.

“We had to come back from the dead a couple of times there, but the boys have fought and everyone can be proud of the way we have played,” said Neesham. “To get up and tie there at the end was very good, and to win the Super Over was pretty awesome.”

In the later game, Rajhastan Royals cruised to a nine wickets defeat of Perth Scorchers with 21 balls remaining after dismissing their opponents for a modest 119.

The comprehensive triumph secured the Royals progress through to the semi-finals and will remain in Jaipur for that last four clash if they beat Otago in Tuesday’s Group A decider.

Kevon Cooper, the West Indies seamer, claimed four for 18 with none of the Scorchers’ batsmen able to build any momentum and Adam Voges top-scored with just 27 off 22 balls.

Perth made a good start with the ball with Rahul Dravid, the Royals’ captain, being bowled with the fourth ball of their reply by Jason Behrendorff but Ajinkya Rahane and Sanju Samson both hit half-centuries and forged an unbroken 120-run partnership to guide their side into the semi-finals.

Group A

Group B