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Hayden, Muralitharan star in Super Kings’ IPL win

PORT ELIZABETH - Matthew Hayden and Muttiah Muralitharan turned the clock back with a virtuoso performance as Chennai Super Kings thumped Banglaore Royal Challengers by 92 runs in an Indian Premier League match here Monday.

Hayden struck a blistering 65 off 35 balls in Super Kings total of 179/5, the highest T20 score at St George’s Park here, before Muralitharan (3-11) weaved his magic to bowl out Royal Challengers for 87 in 15.2 overs.

Royal Challengers had made a resoudning start to IPL-2 with a 75-run win over defending champions Rajasthan Royals, but Monday night they were outclassed by the two elder statesman of international cricket.

Royal Challenegers’ chase never look like taking off with pinch-hitter Praveen Kumar’s dismissal in the first over. Robin Uthappa (20) and Jacques Kallis (24) scored 39 runs before Albie Morkel trapped Kallis leg-before.

Muralitharan had a bad inaugural tournament compared to his lofty standards. But with spinners playing a crucial role, he was not to be left behind.

He got rid of skipper Kevin Pietersen and Uthappa in one over. Pietersen was out leg before while Uthappa was foxed by a doosra and stumped.

Royal Challengers last match star Rahul Dravid (20) put up some resistance but that was of no avail with wickets falling at the other end.

Electing to bat, Super Kings, who had lost their first match to Mumbai Indians, got off to a whirlwind start as Hayden and Parthiv Patel (30) blasted 106 off 61 balls.

After four low-scoring matches in Cape Town, Hayden breathed life into the tournament with a devastating knock that included nine fours and two sixes.

Hayden was in full flow and it mattered little that the 37-year-old has retired from international cricket. The Australian hit one Jacques Kallis over for three consecutive fours and a six.

He cut with power, rocked back to hit over mid-wicket when bowled short, and pierced fielders through off-side and behind the wicket with his sublime touch.

Patel had some mishits fall in no-man’s land, but that did not deter him from pulling Dale Steyn for a six over mid-wicket.

Having seen all his bowlers belted mercilessly, Pietersen brought himself on after the tactical timeout. The momentum shifted dramatically as both Patel and Hayden were dismissed off successive Pietersen deliveries. Patel was stumped while Hayden was run-out.

The quick wickets put the skids on Super Kings’ march. Suresh Raina (28) and Andrew Flintoff (22) hit some lusty blows in the end.