Blizzard blitzkrieg seals Cobras fate

Hyderabad: It rained runs in the second session of the Oppo Champions League T20-2014 match between Hobart Hurricanes and Cape Cobras, which the former won, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium here on Sunday.

Ironically, batsmen from both sides accelerated the scoring in the last overs.

If earlier Vernon Philander (32 bit out) launched a blistering attack against Hobart bowlers, the holiday crowd was treated to a magnificent run feast, thanks to a rare blitzkrieg by Aiden Blizzard, who true to his name destroyed the hapless bowlers all round the wicket for an unbeaten 78 that came from 48 balls. It was an innings that was characteristically brutal and was an onslaught that symbolises the shortest form of the game.

Helping him in the run chase was Ben Dunk who set the ball rolling with a knock (58) that was a blend of caution and aggression.

Chasing Cobras’ rather decent score of 184 for six wickets, Hurricanes appeared to be in a hurry to finish off the matters and stay in contention for a semifinal slot in the championship. Blizzard’s awesome knock, after getting a ‘life’ in the 18th over, contained four hits to the fence and five towering heaves over the ropes to give the Australians a six-wicket win with six balls to spare. Dunk gradually increased his assault and finished with an invaluable 54 that came with the help of seven hits to the fence.

Hashim Amla and Shoaib Malik were the biggest letdowns for their respective teams while Richard Levi top scored for Cape Cobras with a decent 42.

Brief Scores: Cape Cobras: 184 for 6 (Richard Levi 42, Vernon Philander 32no, Ben Laughlin 2/31, Ben Hilfenhaus 2/49); lost to Hobart Hurricanes: 186 for 4 in 19 overs (A Blizzard 78no, B Dunk 54; S Engelbrecht 3/20).