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IPL Cricket in South Africa gets underway
Indian superstar Sachin Tendulkar propelled the Mumbai Indians to 165/7 against the Chennai Super Kings in the opening game of the Indian Premier
League at Newlands, in Cape Town, South Africa. Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bowl under cloudy skies in Cape Town. Despite opening bowlers Manpreet Gony (2/32) and Thilan Thushara (1/32) managing to swing the ball in the overcast conditions, Tendulkar (59 not out off 49 balls) and Sri Lankan Sanatha Jayasuiya made sure the Indians got off to a good start. The pair raced to 39 without loss, before Jayasuriya (26 off 20 balls) holed out to mid-wicket off Thushara. Despite the strict security procedures to enter the ground, a stray dog managed to find himself on to the ground. With nobody rushing to remove the dog, the animal kept up proceedings for ten minutes before a steward lured him off the ground with a piece of biltong.
This did not, however, stop the Indian's momentum as Tendulkar held the innings together while wickets fell around him. Shikhar Dhawan (22) and Abhishek Nayar (35 off 14 balls) made solid contributions to assist the "Master Blaster" along the way. Nayar was particularly impressive as he blasted three sixes over mid-wicket in one Andrew Flintoff over. Local South African hero JP Duminy disappointed his home crowd by scoring just nine in his IPL debut for the Indians. The Super Kings are without South African star duo Albie Morkel and Makhaya Ntini as their kit did not arrive with them in Cape Town on Saturday. The pair were still on national duty in Johannesburg on Friday evening. Many British Lion’s Rugby fans are also expected in South Africa to support their team. ”Coupled with the IPL Cricket which ends on 23 May, the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in June and the ICC 8-Nations Champions’ Trophy in September, South Africa is certainly expecting thousands of fans for the upcoming top level sporting events,” notes Robert Wilson. CEO of travelinsouthafrica.net . “Fans would be well advised to sort out their travel and accommodation soon,” he said. |
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