Cameron White breaks the streak of whitewash for Deccan Chargers
Cameron White scored a belligerent half century to guide; Deccan Chargers to register their maiden win in the tournament, beating Pune Warriors by 18 runs in an Indian Premier League match 35. After setting a competitive 178-run target, Kumar Sangakkara-led Chargers restricted Warriors to 159/7 in 20 overs to open their win account in the tournament.
White smashed a strokeful 78 off just 46 balls and together with JP Duminy (26 not out) added crucial 75 runs for the fifth wicket to power Deccan to 177 for four after electing to bat. And then Deccan bowlers rose to the occasion for the first time in IPL season five as Pune lost wickets at regular intervals to be restricted to 159 for seven at the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium. For Deccan, young Ashish Reddy (2-32) and Rusty Theron (2-37) took two Pune wickets each after Cameron White’s 78 runs heroic with the bat. Chasing the target, Pune Warriors lost wickets at regular intervals and do not look good to win the match. The victory is Deccan first win in this year’s IPL after five straight loses and a wash out game.
Pune’s run chase started on an awry note as they lost both their openers — Jesse Ryder and Manish Pandey – inside the 50-run mark. While dangerous Ryder fell early with the scoreboard reading just 15, young Pandey showed some sparks in his 21-run knock before being bowled by Theron in his opening over at the team score of 43. Pune captain Sourav Ganguly (23), who was dropped by Duminy at point in the first delivery of the 10th over by Manpreet Gony, failed to capitalise on the chance as fell three balls later, caught brilliantly by substitude fielder Daniel Harris at short cover. Reddy then struck twice in the 14th over to derail Pune’s chase. Reddy first bowled Robin Uthappa as he went for a cheeky shot and then four balls later accounted for a struggling Marlon Samuels, caught by Deccan skipper Kumar Sangakkara.
Electing to bat first, Cameron White (78 off 46 balls) scored his maiden IPL fifty to help Deccan Chargers set 178-run target for Pune Warriors. Openers Parthiv Patel (24) and Shikhar Dhawan (16) ensured a quick start to Deccan innings, smashing Ashish Nehra for three fours to pick up 16 runs off the first over. They duo stitched 39 runs off four overs for the opening stand before losing Dhawan. Deccan received another blow 11 runs later when Patel was caught by Mithun Manhas at deep square-leg off Kumar. White and Sangakkara shared 33 runs for the fourth wicket before the later was cleaned up by Sharma.
White smashed five sixes and six fours and added impressive 75 runs for the fourth wicket with JP Duminy (26 not out) to lead the Deccan’s innings. White’s whirlwind knock came to an end when Marlon Samuels got better of him in the 18th over. Duminy played an unusually patient innings of 26 off 24 balls which include just one six.
Deccan Chargers registered their first win of IPL 2012, which is uncharacteristic for one-time IPL champions, in the absence of their most likely match-winner, Dale Steyn. There was no last-over heartbreak that has been such a familiar feeling for Chargers this season, although with this win they are still at bottom of the table.
Tags: Cameron White, Cricket, Deccan Chargers, IPL 2012, IPL 5, Pune Warriors
