ILT20 2023, DV vs ADKR: Hales, Cottrell floors Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
Alex Hales scored match-winning hundred (Source: Twitter/@ILT20Official)
In what panned out as a lopsided affair, Desert Vipers drubbed Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 111 runs in the ninth match of the International League T20 2023.
Hales enliven the tournament
Put in to bat first, Desert Vipers came across an early speed bump as their opener Rohan Mustafa was outdone in the first over.
While it had made a great start for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, it was all misery from there on as the Vipers piled up quick runs, courtesy Alex Hales, who did most of the damage.
A 164-run partnership unfolded between Hales and Colin Munro as their side lurched towards their first 200-plus total of the season.
It also marked a moment of history as Hales recorded the first-ever ton of the league's history, Although the Englishman fell via a run-out at the last ball of the innings, his 59-ball 110 helped the team land at 219-4 in their 20 overs.
Cottrell overshadows Russell's boundary blast
Russell's fifty goes in vain (Source: Twitter/@ILT20Official)
Chasing 220 runs, the Knight Riders had lost the plot right from the start as Sheldon Cottrell blew away their top-order with Brandon King, Kennar Lewis and Dhananjaya de Silva being the three victims of his brilliance.
Down and out Abu Dhabi were lying at 54/7 at the half-way stage. However, then came the mighty Andre Russell, who seemed to be fighting a lost battle.
His 57-run knock had five sixes and as many fours but it was not to be enough for the day as the other batters had left too much for him.
Eventually, they folded at 108 in the 16th over, losing the clash by 111 runs.
Brief scores:
Desert Vipers - 219/4 (20)
Alex Hales 110 (59), Colin Munro 56 (41);
Lahiru Kumara 2-31 (4), Andre Russell 1-47 (4)
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders - 108/10 (15.1)
Andre Russell 57 (29), Dhananjaya de Silva 12 (13);
Sheldon Cottrell 3-14 (4), Benny Howell 2-6 (1.1)
Desert Vipers won by 111 runs.
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