MCL 15th Match Review: Leo Lions beat Legends in the last league game

Leo Lions record a comfortable 11-run victory against Libra Legends in the final league game and finish at number 2 in league stage while Libra Legends finish their first season in Master Champions League (MCL) without winning even a game. Lions will now face Virgo Super Kings in the 2nd semi-final while Gemini Arabians takes on Sagittarius Strikers in the first semi-final.

After being put in to bat, the Lions got off to a great start with Hamish Marshall taking on the Libra’s bowling. He shared an opening stand of 48 runs with Carter and a 69-run stand with Brendon Taylor which came off just 49 deliveries. Marshall’s entertaining knock came to an end when he tried to hit one off his country-man Andy McKay’s bowling. Marshall scored 64 in 39 balls with 4 fours and 3 sixes.

Soon in the next over Brendon Taylor departed after scoring 26. New Zealand pair James Franklin and Scott Styris gave a strong finish to their innings with some great striking. Styris was the aggressor and hit 45 in just 20 balls which included 5 sixes while Franklin struck 2 fours and 2 sixes in his 16-ball 28. They shared an unbeaten stand of 82 runs in mere 32 balls for the 4th wicket which includes a 30-run final over bowled by Sean Ervine with 5 wides and a no-ball.

The Lions had to prevent the Legends from chasing down their total of 201 inside 16 overs to qualify for the semis. However, they did a decent job to defend the score and ended up winning the game.

Libra started off strongly scoring 10 an over till the 5th over before Johan Botha got both openers Kallis and Lumb in his first 2 overs. Sean Ervine fell cheaply to Tauqir but Ryan ten Doeschate kept his side in the chase with a steady stand along with Simon Katich. Doeschate kept sending the ball to the fence while Katich’s run-a-ball innings of 20 came to an end as Fidel Edwards cleaned him up bringing an end to a 59-run stand. Doeschate’s superb innings ended at 67 off just 36 which he scored with the help of 3 fours and 5 mighty sixes. Ian Butler’s cameo of 31 in 17 balls could only reduce the losing margin for Libra as they finished on 190 for 6 in their 20 overs.

Brief Scores:

Leo Lions: 201 for 3 in 20 overs (HJH Marshall 64, SB Styris 45*, JEC Franklin 28*; GP Swann 1/26)

Libra Legends: 190 for 6 in 20 overs (R ten Doeschate 67, IG Butler 31; J Botha 2/40, KM Jarvis 2/45)

Man of the Match: Hamish Marshall (Leo Lions)