Thrilling win keeps Bushrangers alive
Three super over sixes from David Hussey have fired Victoria to a thrilling victory against the Chennai Super Kings at the Champions League Twenty20.
WHAT HAPPENED: Points: Vics 2 Chennai 0
Three super over sixes from David Hussey fired Victoria to a thrilling victory against the Chennai Super Kings in match 11 of the Champions League Twenty20. After Chennai scored 162-6, Victoria were in a terrific position at 104-2 but were bowled out for the same score as their opponents to set up a dramatic super over.
Hussey hit 22 of Victoria's 23 super over runs including three whopping sixes before Clint McKay bowled with nerves of steel to restrict Chennai to 13 and secure an amazing win. John Hastings (2-22) and Clint McKay (2-33) bowled well and Hussey (51) and Aaron Finch (41) both made valuable contributions with the bat.
Needing 16 runs to win from the final seven balls, the tail-enders scrambled 15 to take the match into an exciting super over.
THE HERO: David Hussey
Hussey's Super overexploits will be talked about for many years to come by Victorian cricket fans. He attacked bravely and boldly when his state needed him most with three massive sixes during Ravichandran Ashwin's extra over.
All three sixes were massive and 23 runs in a Super over is a huge effort. It was always going to be tough for Chennai to chase and it proved so.
Let's not forget he made a vital 51 from 45 balls in the initial run chase. He picked the right times to attack and was stable when the collapse started. He eventually was dismissed after hitting four fours and a six - but when he left, only 16 more runs were required - which the tail-enders proved they could muster.
Honourable mentions to McKay who bowled brilliantly in the super over and Aaron Finch (41 from 17) who got the innings off to a flying start.
THE VILLAIN: Suresh Raina
The opening batsman was a thorn in Victoria's side with 4-26 but two of his three dead-balls in the 20th over weren't necessary.
The umpires had to intervene to ensure that the madness would stop and it cost the Vics some final over rhythm which led to the match being forced into a Super over.
DEFINING MOMENT: Hussey's third super over six
With 17 runs already compiled in the Super over, Hussey's third and final six made it almost impossible for Chennai to win the match. He walloped Ashwin over mid-wicket for a massive six which hit the roof of the stadium and killed any morale Chennai had.
MILESTONES:
David Hussey passed 3300 career Twenty20 runs
THE UPSHOT: Chance of progression
The two points put the Vics third on the points table in Group A - and with a game against winless Wayamba to come there is every chance that Greg Shipperd's side will make the semi-finals.
The top two sides progress from each group and Warriors (1st) face off against Chennai (2nd) in the last pool match. If the Warriors win and the Vics win, Chennai will miss out on the semi-finals. If Chennai win and the Vics win it will come down to net run-rate - meaning the Bushrangers need to win well against Wayamba.
WHERE TO NOW: Centurion, 21st September
The last pool match against Sri Lankan side Wayamba will be another late one for Victorian fans with the game scheduled to start at 1.30am AEST.
Wayamba have lost poorly in both games and a big win could be crucial in progressing.
WHO SAID WHAT: Clint McKay, paceman
"I was a bit nervous when I was told I had to bowl the Super over, but once the captain Hussey did the job with the bat earlier on, I was more settled," McKay said.
"One more game to go, hopefully the result goes our way and we make it to the next stage."
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