MCL 2nd Match Review: Leo Lions defeat Capricorn Commanders

The Leo Lions registered a pretty easy win today over Capricorn Commanders in the 2nd match of the Masters Champions League (MCl). The Commanders were restricted for just 130/8 after 20 over while chasing the 157 runs target set by Lions. They had no answer to the disciplined Lions bowling attack.

Fidel Edwards was the star for them today with his highly impressive bowling performance of 4/33. He broke the back of the Commanders batting line-up by dismantling their middle-order including three wickets in the 16th over of the match.

The Lions won the toss and chose to bat first. They did not have a great start as they lost a couple of early wickets in the form of Hamish Marshall and Herschelle Gibbs. Robin Petersen also could create any impact. The Commanders were successful in finding regular wickets and did not allow the Lions to surge. Brendan Taylor (24 from 21 balls) provided stability for some time before falling to Jeetan Patel.

Later, an 66 runs stand between James Franklin and Johan Botha helped Lions move further and post a competitive total on the scoreboard. Johan Botha, in particular, was remarkable, scoring a 29 ball 41 runs knock. James Franklin was also impressive with his run-a-ball innings of 31 runs.

Paul Collingwood, the Commanders skipper, used 8 bowlers overall in the first innings. Rory Kleinveldt (2/18) was the most successful out of them.

Lions started off really well in reply with Andrew Symonds and Ashwell Prince giving them a steady start. However, Symonds fell in the 9th over to Scott Styris which put an end to the opening stand. Prince followed him in the next over. The Commanders lost their track from here on. Chamara Silva and Paul Collingwood were not able to score runs fluently and the run rate kept rising.

Fidel Edwards then dashed all hopes of the batting team with three wickets in the 16th over. The first one to depart was Collingwood after he was clean bowled. Kleinveldt was his second victim after he offered a straightforward catch to Marshall on the boundary ropes. After taking wickets off successive deliveries, Fidel missed his hattrick after Razzaq took a double off the hattrick ball. Fidel, however, managed to get Abdul Razzaq after he sent him packing off the last ball of the over.

Eventually, the Commanders played out the full quota of 20 overs and ended at 130/8, losing the match by 26 runs.

The credit must go to the Lions bowlers who did an exceptional job today. They made a good comeback into the match after Symonds and Princes played them out effectively in the early part of the second innings. The Commanders can blame their middle order for the loss today. They completely submitted to Fidel Edwards and brought the team’s downfall.

Brief Scores:

Leo Lions: 156/8 in 20 overs (Johan Botha 42; Rory Kleinveldt 2/18)

Capricorn Commanders: 130/8 in 20 overs (Ashwell Prince 34; Fidel Edwards 4/33)

Man of the Match: Johan Botha (Leo Lions)