Story Oceania Premier League:***End of Story!***

[just_cricket]

Central Makos v Queensland Thunder

Oceania Premier League
Harris, Akmal star as Thunder triumph over sorry Makos

Ryan Harris took the only three wickets to fall in the Makos' innings

Despite showing several glaring weaknesses, the Queensland Thunder were able to open their tournament with a fairly easy win over the Central Makos. After winning the toss and batting on an absolute belter the Makos would have been desperately ruing a missed opportunity to announce themselves at the league - on a flat pitch with a powerful batting lineup against a fairly weak bowling attack, there would never be a better opportunity to put up a score in excess of 200.

However the opportunity was wasted - Harris bowled well to dismiss Gambhir, How and Dhoni in the first seven overs but all three batsmen would have to at least partially blame themselves. How missed a straight ball, Gambhir cut one straight to point and although Akmal made an absolutely brilliant stumping, Dhoni was rash in charging down the pitch, knowing that Akmal was up. Then the part time spinners played far too much of a role as Ingram and Sinclair seemed unwilling to open up - although they finished strongly they gave the impression that the pitch was too slow whereas in actual fact it was coming on to the bat rather well.

Malinga showed more flair in dismissing Hayden with a characteristic unplayable yorker, but Kamran Akmal built on a good stint behind the wickets with a well paced fifty, with good support from Herschelle Gibbs. As both had strike rates of close to 100, it was a slightly laboured chase but despite Sinclair managing to buy Akmal's wicket and Oram providing a direct hit from the boundary to run out the South African first drop, the result was never in any doubt as Symonds and Duminy finished it off in the penultimate over.

Queensland Thunder won by 7 wickets with 7 balls to spare​

 

[Roofrom50]

Akmal and Gibbs got the ball rolling for Queensland. Not always a good sign when Matty Hayden gets under for under 5 runs, i then start to worry first time reading this thread, and it's a wonder how i've missed it. The writing and scoreboards are clean and easy to read. Good updates mate, i will be following this more.

 

[CG123]

I'd say that's a match between two of the weaker sides, like you (JC) said Central shouldn't of allowed the three part time spinners to settle, and should of played much more aggressively with three all-rounders still to come.

I'd probably look to drop Bracewell as he didn't bowl, and replace him with a batting all-rounder in someone like N-B.

 

[Varun]

Lol easy win for Queensland thunder, Harris made the first blows and they didn't even need Finn when the part timers took over the charge. Batsmen chased that far easily. So as JC wrote, Central batsmen were to blame themselves.

 

[just_cricket]

Western Waccas v Victoria Wasps

Oceania Premier League
Wasps exit as classy Barath helps Waccas to their first win

Adrian Barath played a sublime innings to set up the Waccas' innings

The Victoria Wasps have become the first team to bow out of the Oceania Premier League in the pool stage. Following their tight loss to the Pulse, a 20 run deafeat at the hands of the Waccas means that they have registered no points from their two pool games, and as both the Waccas and Pulse now hold three points each, the Melbourne based franchise has been knocked out.

It seemed unlikely when left arm paceman Dirk Nannes captured the prized scalp of Chris Gayle for a duck in the first over, but Adam Gilchrist gave a brief explosion of runs to signal the Waccas' intent, and with it the Wasps' downfall. When he was dismissed at 27/2 the Wasps held the advantage but Shaun Marsh and Adrian Barath combined for 149 runs - the biggest partnership of the tournament so far. Marsh went hard at the ball and struck it cleanly while Barath stroked anything outside off for runs, and played some elegant shots over the leg side. Clint McKay then sparked a major collapse as he struck an incredible five times in five balls which, along with David Hussey and Cameron White, reduced the Waccas to 185 all out from their allotted 20 overs.

The Wasps were always in the hunt as Dilshan and Smith led the chase from the top - when Dilshan was dismissed prematurely Pietersen took up the attack. Johnson was disappointing for the Waccas, as the Wasps' top 3 took advantage of some wayward bowling from their opponents' star bowler. However Saeed Ajmal would prove to be the difference in the innings - his four overs at just 4.75 dragged the Victorian franchise down and in the end won them the game - despite very good innings from Smith and Pietersen, the Wasps ended up 20 runs short.

Western Waccas won by 20 runs​

 

[treva]

Jesus, the Waccas lost 5 wickets in 5 balls! The Wasps really should have won that only 2 wickets down.

 

[6ry4nj]

Might be an idea to mention McKay's hat-trick?

Waccas went wacko when they lost Shaun Marsh - 8 wickets for 9 runs in 3 overs! Hmmmm...

Michael Hussey bowling at the death with only one wicket down and only going for 8 an over? That's quite a fantasy story!

 

[just_cricket]

SACA Spiders v UT Gators

Oceania Premier League
Pool B alive as Spiders trump Gators by 21

Dwayne Bravo resurrected the Spiders' innings after early worries

After an emphatic close victory over the Eagles, the Gators will now rely on the final pool match going their way as to whether they progress, following their loss to the Spiders.

Kallis seemed to write the script from the start, single handedly reducing the Spiders to 19/4 as Ferguson, Klinger, Bopara and Afridi were all sent on their way for single figure scores.

Once again in the OPL though, a middle order partnership turned out to be pivotal. The aggressive Aiden Blizzard and talented overseas player Bravo paired up for a stand of 99 in a terrific rearguard action. Spinners Beau Casson and Jason Floros kept the Spiders at bay for a small period but even when Blizzard fell after a well amde half century, Graham Manou surprised even himself with a quickfire 20 off half as many balls.

Shaun Tait made the vital early strike when he trapped Sehwag with a fast straight delivery but from there the Gators were always in the hunt, as every batsman made it to double figures - the trouble was it took most of them too much time. Kallis compiled a well measured 50 to go with his four wickets, which would have staked a good claim for Man of the Match had his team got home. Haddin, Khawaja and Collingwood just couldn't keep up with the required rate and despite Floros' never-say-die 23 from 8 balls, it was too little too late.

South Australia Spiders won by 21 runs​

 

[just_cricket]

Pacific Lions v NSW Stingers

Oceania Premier League
Raina, Taylor and Pollard feature in Lions' triumph as Stingers exit

Suresh Raina was one one of 3 half centurions for the Lions

The Pacific Lions' star players did the majority of the business for them in their first up 12 run win over the New South Wales Stingers at Eden Park.

In a hard hitting display, Ross Taylor led the way for his adopted side with a 31 ball 51, and despite Josefa Rika looking slightly out of his depth, overseas players Suresh Raina and Kieron Pollard also posted fifties at healthy strike rates, as the Lions posted 184/2 from their 20 overs. For the Stingers, Bollinger and Hauritz bowled particularly well but the rest of their bowlers were more or less taken to the cleaners.

Te Ahu Davis suffered similar treatment from Dave Warner early on but star pace bowler Dale Steyn kept it very tight and troubled both openers, before Tugaga chipped out two danger men in Watson and Hughes to put the Sydney based franchise on the back foot. Warner was relentless, though, and Sangakkara kept the required run rate in check with a fluent 46 from just 33 balls but as Pollard, and then Noema-Barnett, chimed in with a wicket each, the Stingers were looking less likely.

Iniasi Cakacaka also provided a spectacular reminder of the natural talent the local players have as well, with a great direct hit run out from the ring to run out Katich off his first ball. Clarke and Henriques gave it everything near the end but it just wasn't enough as they fell 12 runs short, bowing out of the OPL in the pool stages.

Pacific Lions won by 12 runs​

 

[just_cricket]

Diablos v Makos

Oceania Premier League
Diablos' bowlers and De Villiers set up debut win

With a classy unbeaten 77, AB De Villiers saw the Diablos home

On a hot day at Bellrieve Oval in Hobart, the Diablos have chased down 142 set by the Central Makos to deny the Makos a spot in the Super 8 stage.

Jamie How and Gautam Gambhir got their team off to a good start, putting on 50 for the first wicket, but as neither could go on and a middle order collapse ensued, they could never quite force the pace as they would've liked until Worker, Diamanti and Mendis all struck at above 150 to propel the Makos to 142/8.

In reply the Makos would have been full of hope after striking early to remove Paine, Kieswetter and Ponting for single figures, and subsequently reduce the Tasmanians to 13/3. Unfortunately for the Makos, De Villiers led the chase from there and looked barely troubled as he upped the ante and soon had the score racing along. Birt and Bailey played circumspect supporting hands, before Mohammad Aamer was able to stay with De Villiers until the final over when the South African hit the winning runs.

Tasmania Diablos won by 5 wickets​

 

[CG123]

Good to see Pacific get up, over a pretty useful looking NSW side. Tugaga was the only real surprise package, as most of the damage was done by their few big names.

AB was way too good for the Makos though. No one in the Makos batting got going at all, and bar AB it was also a struggle for Tasmania with the bat.

 

[HawkAussie]

Come on Tasmania Dibalos. You should of done better than that.

 

[just_cricket]

Capital Pulse v Western Waccas

Oceania Premier League
Sensational Ryder powers Pulse to second win in run fest at the WACA

Ryder was amazing, and simply unstoppable, with a 59 ball 134

It was certainly not a day for the bowlers at the WACA Ground, as the crowd witnessed a combined total of 449 runs from just 40 overs.

Jesse Ryder reminded everyone of the outrageous talent he possesses with a simply amazing hundred. Striking at well over 200 throughout his innings, against the quality pace trio of Johnson, Sidebottom and Napier, Ryder smashed the ball to all parts of the ground in an unbelievable exhibition of clean hitting. Lumb also played very well but was overshadowed somewhat by the Ryder show.

Putting on 207 for the first wicket, Ryder was finally dismissed with three overs to go - showing how much mayhem he could have created had he batted right through. Fleming couldn't accelerate at the end and softened the innings slightly with a tame end, but 229 speaks for itself.

However two of the most exciting opening batsmen in the world weren't going to be fazed by such a score - in an almost more entertaining (if that's possible) display of power than Ryder and Lumb, two more left handers set the ground alight as the sun set. Gilchrist hit the ball as well as he ever had in any of his games for Australia or Deccan, while Gayle was at his blistering best. The Western Australian just won the race to the hundred as every bowler went above 9 an over, with the exception of Elliott who held his nerve brilliantly at the end to play a part in the victory.

After being hit for 22 in his first over, Andy McKay returned and conceded just 8 from his final over and dismissed Gilchrist to just deny the Waccas, as the Pulse triumphed in a high scoring thriller by 9 runs.

Capital Pulse won by 9 runs​

 

[Roofrom50]

Ryder was fantastic up at the top of the order. Not even the combined score from Gilchrist and Gayle could out do the score from Ryder and Lumb. Would of been an entertaining 20/20 contest to attend i reckon.

 

[CG123]

Wow, what a match, form a batting perspective.
I'm not sure what Fleming was up to though, 3 off 9 on that road.