Chennai sweep to third straight win

Chennai Super Kings became the first team to secure a semi-final berth in CLT20 2013 with a dominating eight-wicket win over Brisbane Heat in their Group B match here in Ranchi on Saturday evening. It was CSK’s third win on the trot while Heat’s third successive loss sends them out of contention. CSK chased won 138 for a win, wrapped up things in 15.5 overs at 140/2. With one game in hand before the semi-final, it must be pleasing for CSK’s think tank to see opener Murali Vijay find some touch after two successive ducks with a fluent 27-ball 42 that included five boundaries and two six. Vijay’s opening partner Michael Hussey was his enterprising self with an unbeaten 57, as the duo gave a solid start to the chase raising 75/1 in 9.2 overs. The remaining 63 runs off 64 balls were not going to trouble CSK much with a power packed batting line-up. The only other wicket to fall was that of Suresh Raina on the last ball of the 14th over, when the target was 22 runs away. But the packed house was not complaining as that brought Dhoni into the middle, who scored the winning runs with a boundary and a six. Earlier, Chennai rode on an impressive performance by their slower bowlers to restrict Brisbane Heat for a below par 137/7. Ravindra Jadeja (2/18), R. Ashwin (1/10) and Suresh Raina (1/9) choked the Heat’s innings with regular strikes after the pacers gave CSK a two-wicket opening in the first four overs. Put in to bat, Heat’s skipper James Hopes showed positive intent from the first ball, sending it for a boundary through point, but his partner and debutant Dom Michael was back in the dugout by the fifth delivery of the Mohit Sharma-over. Scores: Brisbane Heat 137/ 7 in 20 overs (B. Cutting 42 not our, C. Hartley 35, C. Lynn 29; Jadeja 2/18, Mohit 2/35) lost to Chennai Super Kings 140/2 in 15.5 overs (M. Hussey 57 not out, M. Vijay 42, S. Raina 23; Christian 1/16, Cutting 1/38)