Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 25 (ANI): Shane Watson’s 48-ball century was overshadowed by an equally aggressive 44-ball undefeated 94 from Lendl Simmons that helped the West Indies Masters outclass the Australia Masters by 7 wickets within the second match of the inaugural Worldwide Masters League (IML) on the DY Patil Sports activities Stadium, as per a launch from IML.
Persevering with the pattern of manufacturing high-scoring matches within the IML, the sizeable crowd on the stadium had been handled to Shane Watson’s signature strokes, including a contact of nostalgia after West Indian batting nice Brian Lara elected to subject on successful the toss, earlier within the night.
The 43-year-old Watson by no means seemed as if he has left taking part in, as he handled the West Indies bowlers with disdain, to notch up his half-century off mere 27 balls, and consumed one other 21 deliveries for his subsequent fifty. Within the course of, Watson was additionally concerned in a few large partnerships that set the tone for the huge goal.
Watson, who went out to open the innings with Ben Dunk (15 off 11 balls), began with a 34-run partnership, earlier than forging an 83-run partnership for the second wicket with Callum Ferguson (13 off 15). He was additionally concerned in a 54-run stand for the third wicket with Daniel Christian (32 off 15), that arrange the large rating for the Aussies.
Regardless of dropping his companions on the different finish, Watson ensured he remained within the center and supplied the impetus to the Australian innings. He took a particular liking for left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn, dispatching him over the fence for a few sixes and an an identical variety of fours to exploit 21 runs from the ninth over of their innings.
Watson, who acquired a reprieve on 80 when Ashley Nurse dropped him, ultimately perished to the identical bowler, however by then he had already carried out his job with a 52-ball 107, laced with 9 fours and as many sixes.
Nurse, in the meantime, emerged essentially the most profitable of the Windies bowlers, claiming figures of three/16, whereas Jerome Taylor and Ravi Rampaul picked two wickets apiece.
In response, Lendl Simmons and Dwayne Smith slammed brisk fifties to guide the West Indies Masters’ chase, with the enduring Brian Lara contributing with a 21-ball 33, and extra importantly setting the tone with a 99-run third wicket stand with Simmons.
Earlier, opening the batting with the harmful Chris Gayle, who perished for a 12-ball 11, Smith led the cost with a cultured 29-ball 51, powered by 10 boundaries and a six, earlier than Simmons took cost of the proceedings with an audacious half century,
Needing 38 off the final three overs, Simmons and wicketkeeper Chadwick Walton (23 not out off 11 balls) slammed three boundaries off Daniel Christian to scale back the margin by 17 runs earlier than finishing the formalities with a flurry of boundaries, and 4 balls to spare. (ANI)
