Knights traverse the fielding spectrum
Plays of the day from the CLT20 qualifier between Mumbai Indians and Northern Knights in Raipur
Vishal Dikshit
16-Sep-2014
BJ Watling managed to hold on to the ball after Aditya Tare edged it • BCCI
Effort of the day
Northern Knights' fielding went from one end to another in their first two matches, from the five dropped catches in six overs against Southern Express, to Tim Southee's extraordinary effort at the boundary, against Lahore Lions. In the fifth over today, when Jalaj Saxena tucked one towards short fine leg, Daniel Harris flew to his right, parallel to the ground, and nearly caught one like Jonty Rhodes. He had actually taken it, but the ball popped out of his hands when he landed on the ground, or it would have been one of the catches of the tournament.
Northern Knights' fielding went from one end to another in their first two matches, from the five dropped catches in six overs against Southern Express, to Tim Southee's extraordinary effort at the boundary, against Lahore Lions. In the fifth over today, when Jalaj Saxena tucked one towards short fine leg, Daniel Harris flew to his right, parallel to the ground, and nearly caught one like Jonty Rhodes. He had actually taken it, but the ball popped out of his hands when he landed on the ground, or it would have been one of the catches of the tournament.
Over of the day
With all the qualification scenarios, the match was already dramatic enough before the toss. The fifth over, bowled by Scott Kuggeleijn, made it only a bit more theatrical. Harris had nearly taken a stunner on the second delivery and a ball later, Lendl Simmons also survived a chance when he came down the track and nearly dragged one onto his stumps, but luckily got four for that. On the next ball he set off for a quick single and just as he would have thought the spotlight was off him, the throw from mid-off struck him on the left thumb at the non-striker's end. Jajaj then eased the nerves by finishing the over with a straight six which nearly doubled the run rate.
With all the qualification scenarios, the match was already dramatic enough before the toss. The fifth over, bowled by Scott Kuggeleijn, made it only a bit more theatrical. Harris had nearly taken a stunner on the second delivery and a ball later, Lendl Simmons also survived a chance when he came down the track and nearly dragged one onto his stumps, but luckily got four for that. On the next ball he set off for a quick single and just as he would have thought the spotlight was off him, the throw from mid-off struck him on the left thumb at the non-striker's end. Jajaj then eased the nerves by finishing the over with a straight six which nearly doubled the run rate.
Awkward effort of the day
Scott Styris had already removed Jalaj Saxena and Lendl Simmons in successive overs, getting them as they tried to make room against his dibbly-dobblies. Aditya Tare didn't learn anything from those dismissals when he also made room in Styris' next over, tried a late cut but the extra bounce got the top edge of the bat and BJ Watling was already moving to his left for the in-cutter. He got into an awkward position for the catch, but had done enough to pouch the ball into his gloves and somehow held on to it.
Scott Styris had already removed Jalaj Saxena and Lendl Simmons in successive overs, getting them as they tried to make room against his dibbly-dobblies. Aditya Tare didn't learn anything from those dismissals when he also made room in Styris' next over, tried a late cut but the extra bounce got the top edge of the bat and BJ Watling was already moving to his left for the in-cutter. He got into an awkward position for the catch, but had done enough to pouch the ball into his gloves and somehow held on to it.
Swap of the day
During Southee's effort against Lions on Sunday, the bowler had thrown the ball back inside the boundary while diving out, and Daryl Mitchell had taken the catch to get his name on the scoreboard. Today, however, Mitchell switched places - he was at long-on when Kieron Pollard rocketed the ball over the bowler's head in the 15th over, forcing the fielder to run to his left. He reached on time, threw the ball inside after catching it as he went over the rope, just like Southee had. The only difference was that the ball had bounced once before reaching Mitchell.
During Southee's effort against Lions on Sunday, the bowler had thrown the ball back inside the boundary while diving out, and Daryl Mitchell had taken the catch to get his name on the scoreboard. Today, however, Mitchell switched places - he was at long-on when Kieron Pollard rocketed the ball over the bowler's head in the 15th over, forcing the fielder to run to his left. He reached on time, threw the ball inside after catching it as he went over the rope, just like Southee had. The only difference was that the ball had bounced once before reaching Mitchell.
Vishal Dikshit is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo