Speaking of plundering, D Souza scored 26 runs off the final over. Thankfully for bowler Oakes, the target was 28. But my was it nervewracking reading through the commentary! Jayraj is fantastic for a #9 lol; don't see many T20 50s that low needless be said. Andrew Kerr (122 total games, HS of 9) contributed 2 runs to the 9th wicket partnership of 51* off 24. Almost a wonderful heist.
That match was an experiment in defensive batting btw (just to spite Branning?), seemed to work fairly well if not fabulously. It's much more fun with a Rusty/Butler opening combo though!
Farewell match for Ghous Saadi as he just turned 22: on the TM. Therefore it marks six seasons of AXI. Saadi did eventually reach 30 Dev friendly 50s, in 115 matches, at an average of 33, and with his HS 91. Today's match was a decent chance at his first ever century, but he fell for 65 (56) at the start of the 16th. It was sort of an anti-career trajectory: propelled immediately into the first 50-over XI, his defensiveness complemented some Frosty slogging in a legendary opening partnership. But he fell away as everyone improved quicker than 'untalented' him, to a life of U22 servitude. Bye bye now.