VIPERS WIN THRILLER TO KNOCK SCORCHERS OUT
Desert Vipers knocked Perth Scorchers out of the ExxonMobil Global Super League (GSL) T20 on Tuesday evening, pulling off a tension-filled one-wicket victory at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence.
With this loss, the Scorchers remain bottom of the table and cannot qualify for the playoffs. Vipers, meanwhile, have skyrocketed up the standings to third, remaining in contention for a playoff spot.
After winning the toss and electing to field, the Vipers’ bowling attack suffocated the Scorchers, restricting them to a modest 112-6 in their 20 overs.
Vipers, in reply, reached the target with just one ball to spare. Needing six runs from six balls, last-man Vitel Lawes stuck Brody Couch for a boundary first ball of the final over to ease the pressure.
Nathan Smith than sealed the formalities with a ball to spare.
Rilee Rossouw led the Vipers’ chase with an even half-century. The left-hander struck three sixes and four fours in his 31-ball crucial knock before he became one of Akeal Hosein’s victim.
Hosein was exceptional, ending with 4-15 from his four-over stint.
Vipers had a poor start with openers Zachary Carter and Saiteja Mukkamalla departing for 4 and 5 respectively. Skipper Shadab Khan was dismissed first ball, but Rossouw kept on his merry way, finding the boundary with ease.
Scorchers, however, fought back gallantly by removing Kyle Mayers for a duck, Vriitya Aravind (16) and Bevon Jacobs for 11, before Smith and Lawes took Vipers over the line.
Earlier, Scorchers struggled for momentum after wickets kept falling rapidly. They reached a precarious 32-3 just outside the powerplay after D’Arcy (5), Joel Curtis (1) and Usman Khan (5) fell cheaply.
Opener Andre Fletcher was uncharacteristically patient, scoring a 47-ball 40, while Hosein, promoted to number five, injected late impetus with 32 not out.
Young left-arm spinner Lawes, who had Fletcher taken at deep cover, finished with 2-14 and Khary Pierre ended with 2-18.
A double-header is slated for Wednesday when the action continues at Providence- Lahore Qalandars will clash with San Francisco Unicorns from 10:00 am, followed by the undefeated Guyana Amazon Warriors against Scorchers from 7pm.
Photography from this match can be streamed with Smartframe and is available here: https://smartframe.com/image-library/global-super-league
