DD ride on Warner

A blazing half-century by David Warner led the Delhi Daredevils to a 15-run victory over the Pune Warriors at the International Stadium in Raipur yesterday. Batting first the Daredevils posted a modest total of 164. In reply the Warriors were restricted to 149 for 4.
The Daredevils, after a normal-paced beginning, upped their run-rate towards the second half. At the halfway mark they were poised at 68 for 2. The arrival of Warner, however, changed the flow of the game. He scored a 25-ball 51, an innings which included four sixes and four fours.
The Warriors began their chase on a positive note after openers Robin Uthappa and Aaron Finch shared a 76-run stand. However, they lost wickets at crucial moments of the game and ended up requiring an improbable 28 from the last over. Steven Smith smacked a six and a four but it was not enough to avoid a defeat.
Earlier, another Australian batsman Michael Hussey smashed a stroke-filled 95 and effected a crucial run out as Chennai Super Kings survived a scare before eking out a 14-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders in a high-scoring match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Left-handed Hussey was in terrific touch as he batted with ease, taking just 59 balls for knock which was studded with 13 boundaries and led the hosts to a formidable 200 for three after invited to bat.
The Australian along with new opening partner Wriddhiman Saha (39) rattled up 103 in 10 overs and later added 55 for the second wicket with Suresh Raina, who chipped in with a quick-fire 25-ball 44.
The Knight Riders refused to be intimidated by the big target and put up a spirited fight but eventually fell short as the hosts had too many runs to defend.
Manvinder Bisla batted brilliantly from one end but his efforts could only reduce the defeat margin. Bisla scored 92 off 61 balls with 14 fours and two sixes as Kolkata managed 186 for four.
Hussey sent back Bisla with a direct hit at crucial juncture as the Indian in company of Eoin Morgan (32 not out) had almost pulled off a great win for his side.
Bisla was run out in the penultimate over when his side needed 23 from 10 balls and that had a bearing on the outcome.
Kolkata began their chase in right earnest, scoring at a good pace with Bisla yet again doing a great job for his side.
Chris Morris was singled out for special treatment by Bisla as he hit the paceman for four boundaries in the fifth over.
But not keeping wickets in hand hurt their chances.
Skipper Gautam Gambhir (14) frittered away a good start and comeback-man Brendon McCullum (6) could not make any impact.
Gambhir was bowled by Morris while McCullum dragged one back onto his stumps off Mohit Sharma. Chennai spinners created some good chances and Jacques Kallis got two lives when Raina put him down in the deep off Ashwin and Dhoni missed a stumping off Ravindra Jadeja.
However, the South African could not cash in on and departed after making a 19-run contribution when his scoop off Dwayne Bravo landed in hands of Dirk Nannes.
Even as Bisla and Morgan did their best, they had too big a task at hand.
Earlier, Hussey smashed a quick-fire 95 to help Chennai Super Kings post a formidable total. Hussey continued his rich form and scored his 95 off just 59 balls during which he struck as many as 11 boundaries and two sixes.

SCORES IN BRIEF
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS: 200 for 3 in 20 overs (Saha 39, Hussey 95, Raina 44, Dhoni 18 not out; Bhatia 1-31)
KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS: 186 for 4 in 20 overs (Bisla 92, Gambhir 14, Kallis 19, Morgan 32 not out; Sharma 1-23)
Result: Chennai Super Kings won by 14 runs.
Player-of-the-match: Mike Hussey.
DELHI DAREDEVILS: 164 for 5 in 20 overs (Warner 51;Dinda 3-31)
PUNE WARRIORS: 149 for 4 in 20 overs ( Uthappa 37,Finch 37; Yadav 2-24).
Result: Daredevils won by 15 runs.
Player-of-the-match: David Warner.