9:11pm The Knight Riders huff and puff their way to 130. It could have been much lesser had Russell not gotten going towards the end. His 21-ball 35 ensured LAKR crossed the 120-run mark and that has given them something to bowl at. Prior to that, there were starts for Roy and Nitish. Neither, though, could cash in, meaning that LAKR, at one stage, were tottering at 102-9.
MINY were largely good, holding their lengths well and attacking the stumps. They also used the dimensions to their advantage. They did run into a Russell rampage at the death, but Kenjige and Rashid's spell before it, ultimately helped them keep LAKR down to a very chaseable total.
MINY, remember, also have NRR to worry about, and will approximately need to chase this inside 19 overs (we will have the exact numbers shortly). Can they do it? We will be back in a few minutes to find out.
Trent Boult: Wicket is getting tired, a little slower. I thought it was a great effort restricting them to 130, now onto the second half. Hardest part is to know when to bowl them (the yorkers). You got to be able to have a lot of options. As a fast bowler, always nice to see the stumps get disturbed. (On Russell) One of the best in the world, can hit it all around the park. Enjoy the pressure and that is why players play the game, to take on the best. (On what they need to do in the powerplay) I don't think we can win it in the powerplay, that is the first message. Build a foundation and only half the job done (so far).
AD Russell c †Pooran b Pollard 35 (21b 6x4 1x6) SR: 166.66
Pollard brings himself on for the final over. He will be up against the rampaging Russell
END OF OVER:19 | 5 Runs | LAKR: 130/9 | RR: 6.84
- Josh Little4 (7b)
- Andre Russell35 (20b)
- Romario Shepherd4-0-30-1
- Trent Boult4-0-38-2
Free hit to tuck into for Little
Shepherd has the ball in hand. Little on strike
END OF OVER:18 | 14 Runs | LAKR: 125/9 | RR: 6.94
- Andre Russell35 (20b)
- Josh Little0 (0b)
- Trent Boult4-0-38-2
- Romario Shepherd3-0-25-1
Pollard might have done himself some damage diving to his left
Boult to bowl the 18th
END OF OVER:17 | 11 Runs 1 Wkt | LAKR: 111/9 | RR: 6.52
- Andre Russell21 (14b)
- Josh Little0 (0b)
- Romario Shepherd3-0-25-1
- Rashid Khan4-0-22-3
Very straight mid off in place, along with a wider long off
Little is the last batter in and he is at the non-striker's end
Ali Khan run out 0 (0b 0x4 0x6) SR: -