Sachin’s Blasters Lose All-Stars Series in Thrilling Encounter

In a thrilling encounter, Sachin’s Blasters lost the Cricket All Stars series 3-0 to Warne’s Warriors.

(Photo: facebook.com/cricketallstars)

Sachin’s Blasters suffered their third consecutive defeat against Warne’s Warriors, going down by four wickets in a last-over thriller, to lose the Cricket All-Stars T20 Series 0-3 at the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

Indian stalwarts Sachin Tendulkar (56) and Sourav Ganguly (50), showed glimpses of their mastery as they hit half-centuries to help their team post a challenging 219 for five in 20 overs.

However, the Warriors overhauled the target with just one ball to spare, scoring 224 for 6, riding on spectacular innings by Kumar Sangakkara (42), Ricky Ponting (43) and Jacque Kallis (47).

Electing to bat, skipper Tendulkar laid the foundation for a mammoth score with two impressive partnerships. The first was a 23-ball 55-run partnership with Virender Sehwag (27) and the second, a 74-run stand with Mehela Jayawardene (41) in just 34 balls.

Ganguly then ensured that the Blasters ended their innings on a high as he amassed 86 runs along with Carl Hooper (33 not out) for the fourth wicket in 8.3 overs.

Daniel Vettori shone for the Warriors, as he returned with a three-wicket haul, while Courtney Walsh (1/41) and Andrew Symonds (1/33) took a wicket each.

Sachin Tendulkar practices at the Cricket All-Stars Clinic at Dodgers Stadium, Los Angeles. (Photo: AP)

Chasing 220 to win, the Warriors lost their opening batsmen Michael Vaughan (0) in the first delivery. Symonds (31) was sent back in the fifth over. In the next over, Matthew Hayden (12) was also dismissed as they slipped to 52 for 3.

Sangakkara and Jhonty Rhodes (17) then helped them cross the 100-mark before the former was removed in the 11th over by spinner Graeme Swann. In the 14th over, Rhodes was dismissed by Hooper.

Kallis and Ponting then joined hands and added 88 runs to the score in 6.1 overs. Kallis lost his wicket, with three runs to get in as many balls. Skipper Warne then blasted a six in the only ball he faced to take the Warriors home.

For the Blasters, Swann (2/21) took two wickets, while Curtly Ambrose (1/45), Hooper (1/37) and Sehwag (1/12) clinched one each.