JAIPUR – Barbados and West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Smith unfurled a high-octane, unbeaten half-century to help fire Mumbai Indians to a ten-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League yesterday.
Smith, a late call-up to the franchise as an injury replacement for Australian left-arm medium pacer Mitchell Johnson a few weeks ago, slammed 87 from 58 balls as Mumbai, chasing 163 for victory, reached their target with two overs to spare at Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
The right-hander, who starred for West Indies in the T20 series against Australia, shared in an up tempo opening stand with Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar who finished on 58 off 51 balls.
Opting to bat first, the Royals got a top score of 45 from Australian Shane Watson and 31 from Stuart Binny, to reach their eventual score.
Smith then tore into the Royals bowling, hammering ten fours and three sixes as he laid the foundation for Mumbai’s win.
He signalled his intent from early with a bold straight hit off the fifth ball of the innings from off-spinner Ajit Chandila and moved into high gear with two consecutive boundaries off the fifth over of the innings bowled by fast bowler Shaun Taitt.
Smith took a liking to Chandila, twice smashing the bowler for leg-side sixes in the 11th over which cost 16 runs.
Missed three times during his knock, Smith pressed on unfazed to reach his half-century before continuing his assault on the Royals’ bowlers.
Meanwhile, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, West Indies batting star
Chris Gayle smashed 27 off ten balls as Royal Challengers Bangalore crashed out of contention for a play-off spot, with a nine-run loss to Deccan Chargers. (CMC)
