Master hitters

Lendl Simmons and Dwayne Smith blasted half-centuries to lead the West Indies Masters to an impressive seven-wicket win against Australia Masters in the International Masters League (IML) at the DY Patil Sports Stadium.

Simmons struck 94 off 44 balls, including 8 sixes and 6 fours, while Smith belted 51 off 29 balls, which included 10 fours and 1 six, as the WI Masters chased down Australia’s total of 216 for eight in 20 overs. WI Masters ended on 220 for 3 in 19.2 overs.

Their performances overshadowed Australia’s Shane Watson’s magnificent 107 off 52 balls. Ben Dunk added 34 runs for the first wicket, Callum Ferguson (13 off 15) added 83 runs, and Daniel Christian (32 off 15) added 54 runs, which helped propel Australia to a formidable total.

Ashley Nurse was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3-16 in 3 overs, while Ravi Rampaul and Jerome Taylor supported taking two wickets apiece.

In their run chase, the WI Masters were led by the efforts of Smith and Simmons. Cricket legend and captain Brian Lara, who scored 33 runs from 21 balls, shared a 99-run stand with Simmons.

Needing 38 off the final 3 overs, Simmons and Chadwick Walton, who scored an unbeaten 23 off 11 balls, struck 3 boundaries off Christian to ease the pressure before crossing the finish line and sealing victory with four balls to spare.

WI Masters edge England in thriller to record second straight victory

The West Indies Masters produced a reasonable effort against the England Masters to win by 8 runs in a thrilling contest as the International Masters League (IML) continued in India.

Chris Gayle scored at 39, Dwayne Smith added 35, while Narsingh Deonarine lashed an unbeaten 35, and Ashley supported with 29, as the West Indies Masters posted a total of 179 for6 in their 20 overs.

In reply, England Masters had a tough start and could only muster 171 for 8 from their 20 overs, with Sulieman Benn (2-11) and Ravi Rampaul (2-38) being the main destroyers.

After they were sent into bat, Gayle and Smith gave the West Indies a blistering start, adding 77 runs for the first wicket in 7 overs.

However, England’s spinners, led by Chris Schofield and Monty Panesar, took key wickets to reduce the West Indies to 113 for 5 at the end of the 15th over. It took the efforts of Deonarine and Nurse to take them up to their eventual total, collecting 66 runs from the last five overs.

Pacers Rampaul and Taylor then struck early blows to see England collapse to 76 for 5 halfway through their run chase.

A 52-run partnership between Chris Schofield (32) and Chris Tremlett (26) briefly revived England’s hopes, but it was difficult with 18 needed off the final over as they could only gather 10 runs.