Lady luck could be turning the Texas Super Kings’ way. Following their first-game defeat to the La Knight Riders and two washed-out games against the Washington Freedoms and MI New York, their campaign is back on track with a convincing 15-run win against MI New York. A decent all-round performance by Texas batsmen and bowlers helped restrict the strong New York batting to 161 for 7 in 20 overs.
It was a good win for Texas, going up against a big-hitting side featuring the likes of Kieron Pollard, Tim David, and Nicholas Pooran. However, the Texas bowlers held their nerve, led by Marcus Stoinis. Who despite going for a few led the pack, picking up four wickets for 50 in his four overs. This win puts the Texas Super Kings in second position on the table, behind the Washington Freedom.
The Top Order Fires for the Texas Super Kings
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There are no perfect games in cricket but the Texas Super Kings had a near-perfect start with all four top-order players getting among the runs and in quick time. Whilst it was not one of those 12-run+ flyers used in the Indian Premier League, the top order led by captain Faf du Plessis, Devon Conway, and Aaron Hardie made an impact with Faf du Plessis leading the pack with 61 off 38 including four sixes.
Whilst the rate of scoring once the top-order batsman fell, it was good enough to help the Texans reach a competitive score of 176 for 6 in their 20 overs. Texas did lose one too many wickets in the closing stages of their innings which meant they were probably around 10 – 15 runs short, but it was a defensible score nonetheless. The concern for the Texas Super Kings is that it is rather top-heavy. Once the top four get knocked over, questions will be asked of its batting depth. A problem not too different from captain Faf du Plessis’s Indian club side: the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
MI New York – Get off to a Rocky Start and Never Truly Recover
176, whilst not the biggest of T20 scores is not a walk in the park either. The New Yorkers had to bat well to surpass it, and a lot would depend on the top order to get them close to the target. This did not happen in New York. The top three batters were dismissed cheaply putting more pressure on the middle and lower order. Whilst Monank Patel played a good innings at No. 04 stroking a controlled 61 off 45 inclusive of four sixes, but wickets kept falling around him.
It was not until Rashid Khan, the ace spinner from Afghanistan entered the middle did things looked to be on track for New York. But it was an uphill battle since there was little support at the other end. Whilst the 50 in 23 balls inclusive of 5 sixes did earn him the player of the match, it was not enough to get the New York side over the finish line.
A Lot to Think About for Both Teams
In a league that features only six teams, a lot is riding on each game. A lot can happen in the course of a game that alters the complexion of the points table. This win gives the Texas Super Kings valuable two points that add to the two they received by default for the no-result matches. Whilst it could be seen as two points lost, in cricket you have to take what you can. The trouble for Texas is the weak underbelly in the batting. For MI New York it is loss. The second in the competition, and there is little time for pondering what has happened. They need to recover and deliver on the field and fast.
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