Johannesburg, South Africa: The first match of the Airtel Champions League 2010 was won by Lions. Amidst the run feast, Vandiar was declared as Man of the Match. But, on a day full of runs for both teams, it was Shane Burger whose performance made the difference between the two teams.
Match Review: Lions Tame Master’s MI Team
MI Vs Lions: Scorecards and Match Facts
Burger, not Vandiar, Won the Match for Lions
Shane Burger bowled a vital 4 overs spell giving 33 runs and taking 2 wickets. His victims were Sachin, the greatest batsmen of current era and Pollard, the current biggest sensation in world 20-20. Both his victims were taking the match away from Lions. Tendulkar had scored 69 runs and was looking dangerous when he was clean bowled by Burger. Pollard had already hit him for 16 runs and brining the required run rate down emphatically, when Burger bowled him too on the last ball of his over when Pollard had already milked him for 16 runs.
These two wickets made the underdogs, Lions winner over the team Mumbai Indians, full of superstars.
Vandiar, McKenzie and Tendulkar
Vandiar, McKenzie and Tendulkar hit half centuries. While Tendulkar’s half century was in vain, Vandiar and McKenzie ended up being on the winner’s side. Vandiar’s 71 runs, highest for the match by any batsman, provided stability to the shaking Lions team, but Mckenzie’s 56 runs took them to a high total.
Giving Man of the Matches to the batsmen, in high scoring as well as low scoring matches has been the mantra of ICC. Unfortunately Burger also fell to the same rule. Otherwise on a day when batsmen plundered runs at will, it could have been noticed that it was Burger who got Lions the victory, when MI batsmen were chasing the high target of 186 runs, as if it was a very small total.
Profile of Shane Burger
The Right-arm fast-medium bowler is yet to represent South Africa. He has played for Gauteng and Lions. Born on August 31, 1982 at Johannesburg, he emerged as the best son of the soil by playing the key role in defeating the mighty Mumbai Indians. He has taken 12 wickets in 11 Twenty20 matches with an economy of 7.66.
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