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RAJASTHAN TAKES TITLE

Friday, 6^th JUNE, 2008

ADELAIDE

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

After game 59…The Rajasthan Royals v Chennai Super Kings…Sunday, 1st June 2008

Last weekend the most inexpensive team in the inaugural Indian Premier League won the trophy with a single run from the final ball of the final over.

It was as if the ending was scripted with scores tied after 19.5 overs and a bowl out a distinct possibility. The best bowler in the series, Sohail Tanvir then slapped the final ball through midwicket and joyfully completed the winning single with his captain-coach Shane Warne.

Earlier, Partiv Patel with 38 runs from 33 deliveries and Suresh Raina with 43 from 30 balls, had given Chennai Super Kings a moderate total that eventually proved challenging to chase. Captain M.S.Dhoni added a swift and unbeaten 29 runs from 17 deliveries but one sensed it was a reachable total. Yusuf Pathan continued his fine series by collecting 3/22.

When the chase began, Asnodkar and Shane Watson both contributed 28 runs apiece, but Pathan smacked 56 runs from only 39 balls to take a shaky start (3/42) into grasping distance of the victory.

As third umpire, I had a busy night. That's not quite true. I wasn't required for any referred decisions...not one. But I was asked about two boundaries! Sadly we discovered that the walkie talkies were next to useless so I conveyed my answers by standing up and using sign language. 

On the previous night, I had been on duty in the centre, back at Wankhede Stadium, when Chennai had a huge nine wicket victory over the King's XI Punjab. It was the third occasion when Chennai had beaten their more highly fancied opponents. Early wickets to Ntini and Gony left Punjab reeling at 4/34 and 5/40 when Irfan Pathan lost his wicket in a run out.  We have all realized that losing early wickets is almost certainly fatal and this was no different. When Mahela Jayawardene edged to keeper Partiv Patel from a delivery by Alby Morkel, there was no way back into the game from 6/45.The run machine named Shaun Marsh failed on a rare occasion and it became impossible for the tail to kick on.

Umpires in this series have been required to officiate without any sense of hearing...and that takes considerable adjustment.

A key man with the bat for Punjab was Kumar Sangakkara.  He is a player with wonderful skills, but his greatest strength is his respect for the game and for his opponents. I have seen him 'walk' on many occasions and in this vital semi final, it happened again. Gony bowled to him early and he edged the ball to Patel. On this rare moment, I actually heard the edge but didn't really detect any significant deflection. I was weighing up the evidence and considering why the keeper hadn't shown the slightest interest when the batsman took his first step towards the change room.  I was aware that we all struggled on field to hear anything but I was preparing to raise my finger when Sangakkara took off.  He hesitated momentarily but continued on his way after I nodded to him that I had detected the nick.

It may not sound much to anyone not involved at this level, but that was a magical moment for me. I really enjoy seeing professionals at work and Sangakkara qualifies for that team. 

My next match will be a Test match at Lord's in July...and they don't come along every year.

Until that time comes around, I'll be supporting my two Australian Rules Football teams...The Adelaide Crows in the national competition and the Norwood Redlegs in the local grass roots competition.

Cheers

Daryl

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