Barbadian left hander Kyle Mayers continued his red hot form in this year’s Indian Premier League with a half century that helped Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) beat Rajasthan Royals by ten runs on Wednesday.
Lucknow Super Giants batted first and struggled to a 154-7 with openers KL Rahul (39) and Mayers (51) contributing the bulk of the runs. Despite it being a below par score at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, the hosts could not chase it down. The Royals finished on 144-6.
Mayers, who posted scores of 73, 53 and 29 in the competition, showed why he was favoured over South African opener Quinton de Kock when he registered his third half century of the competition.
The only batsman to reach 50 on either side, Mayers looked the most comfortable on the sluggish wicket that offered invariable bounce. His knock, which lasted 42 balls, included four boundaries and three sixes before he was comprehensively bowled by Ravichandran Ashwin.
Fellow West Indian Nicolas Pooran continued in the same vein, smashing 29 runs from 20 balls before he was sold short by his partner Marcus Stonis in the search for quick first innings runs. Barbadian Jason Holder took one wicket for 38 runs from his four-over spell.
In reply, England white ball captain Jos Buttler (40) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (44) started very well, reaching 86-0 at the halfway stage. The Royals collapsed to 104-4 after 15 overs with key players Buttler, Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmyer (their finisher) all dismissed. Devdutt Padikkal looked set to make himself a hero with his cameo of 26 runs but once he spooned a catch behind to wicketkeeper Pooran, it was over as a contest.
Marcus Stonis finished as player of the match.
Summarised Scores: Lucknow Super Giants 154-7 in 20 overs (Kyle Mayers 51, KL Rahul 39; Ravi Ashwin 2-23). Rajasthan Royals 144-6 in 20 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 44, Jos Buttler 40; Avesh Khan 3-25, Marcus Stonis 2-28). Lucknow Super Giants won by 10 runs. (JC)
