Tambe, Hodge script big win for Rajasthan Royals

Jaipur, Sep 26 (IANS) A four-wicket haul by Pravin Tambe and a late assault by Brad Hodge gave Rajasthan Royals a 30-run win over Lions in a group match of the Champions League Twenty20 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium here Wednesday.

With the win, Rajasthan extended their winning run to 10 matches at home and also jumped to the top of Group A.

Put in, Hodge came up with an unbeaten cameo of 46 from 23 balls, studded with six fours and two sixes, that took Rajasthan to 183 for five in 20 overs. Skipper Rahul Dravid (31), Shane Watson (33) and Stuart Binny (38) also came up with valuable scores.

Hodge smashed 20 of his 46 in the last over bowled by Sohail Tanvir, Lions’ best bowler in the innings till then.

Lions never got their chase on track and all hopes of a late fightback diminished once 41-year-old leggie Tambe was introduced.

It was a master stroke by Dravid and the bowler didn’t disappoint. Tambe finished with four for 15 and was also adjudged as Man of the Match.

Tambe struck of his third delivery, dismissing Hardus Viljoen (24), who had added valuable 53 for the fourth wicket with Alviro Petersen (40).

In his second over, Tambe struck again this time he outfoxed Jean Symes (3) with a wide floater and two balls later had Tanvir plumb in front with a fuller delivery.

The onus was on Peterson but he missed a quicker leg break in Tambe’s third over and that effectively ended Lions’ chase.

Brief scores: Rajasthan Royals 183/5 in 20 oves (Hodge 46 not out, Binny 38, Tsotsobe 2-26); Lions 153/9 in 20 overs (Petersen 40, Tambe 4-15; Faulkner 2-22, Malik 2-26). Rajasthan won by 30 runs.