Warne’s Royals stung by Cobras

By IANS,

Cape Town : Indian Premier League defending champions Rajasthan Royals lost to Cape Cobras by 28 runs in a friendly at Newlands here.


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Chasing a victory target of 143 runs, Royals were all out for 114 with an over to spare Saturday night.

The Cobras had got off to a poor start, three of their top four going for singles. Robin Peterson and Andrew Puttick gave edges to wicketkeeper Naman Ojha, and captain Justin Ontong had his stumps spreadeagled by left-arm quick Kamran Khan.

Warne used eight bowlers, and the most expensive of them turned out to be left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, who was hit for successive sixes by Richard Levi in his third over. Levi hit him for successive fours in his next over before getting out while attempting another big hit.

The Royals top-order started the chase at a brisk pace, but the Cobras pulled it back, with the spinners applying the brakes in the middle overs.

The Royals were 51-2 after six overs, but Peterson (2-18) and Ontong (1-10), plus a run-out, reduced them to 78-6 after 12 overs.

Royals skipper Shane Warne tried hard to get his side back in the game, but when he departed for 21 off 19 balls in the 17th over, it was all but over for the visitors. Rory Kleinveldt finished it off by taking three wickets in his last two overs. He got the player of the match award with figures of 4-22.

Warne said he wanted to use the match to expose them to situation which would reveal to him their ability and quality.

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