The Indian Premier League is a batters’ competition but when Australia’s veteran Mitch’s met in Lucknow it was the bowler who emerged triumphant.
Mitch Starc took 1-25 in four overs, and while he did not dismiss Mitch Marsh he kept his namesake in check much as his Delhi Capitals side limited Lucknow Super Giants.
Marsh made a decent 45 from 38 balls, but was five from five against Starc, a return any bowler would be happy with in the run-soaked IPL, as the 35-year-old helped squeeze a home innings that had begun promisingly.
Lucknow were 0-75 after eight overs, heading towards 200, with Marsh and Aiden Markram (52 off 33 balls) racing along. But they scored 84 off the last 12 overs to close on a modest 6-159.
With captain KL Rahul making an unbeaten 57 Capitals chased the target down with 13 balls and eight wickets to spare.
Marsh faced balls from Starc across the second, ninth and 12th overs, and could only score singles off each.
Starc’s main impact, however, was the slower-ball bouncer that Nicolas Pooran chopped onto his own stumps at 1-99 in the 12th over. The West Indian is the second highest scorer in the tournament with 368 runs at a strike rate above 200. Dismissing him for nine was significant.
It was the fifth time in 14 balls across seven innings Starc had dismissed the Trinidadian.
Marsh, who is the fourth highest runmaker this season with 344, fell two overs later, missing an inswinging yorker from Mukesh Kumar as the pressure to score rose. Mukesh ended with 4-33, including a final over that went 4, 4, 4, wicket, 0, wicket.
With opener Abishek Porel making a 36-ball 51 Delhi were always on course and after he went Axar Patel (34 no off 20) helped Rahul take them to victory and a share of the lead with Gujarat Titans.
Content Source: www.perthnow.com.au