Global T20 Canada, Montreal Tigers vs Winnipeg Hawks, 2nd Match: 5 Talking Points

After Vancouver Knights and Toronto Nationals, it was Winnipeg Hawks’ (WPH) turn to score in excess of 200 after they were put into bat by Montreal Tigers (MNT) in the second game of the Global T20 Canada tournament.

Ben McDermott and Darren Bravo struck quick-fire fifties and David Miller’s 15-ball 35 propelled WPH to 203 in their 20 overs against a star-studded MNT bowling attack which consisted of the likes of Peter Siddle, Lasith Malinga, Sunil Narine and Kevon Cooper. MNT skipper Lasith Malinga led from the front with the ball as he took 2/19 in his 4 overs and was the pick of them as well.

It did seem that we could have another mouth-watering chase on our hands, but MNT never got going as most of their middle-order batsmen couldn’t convert their starts and hence, in the end, it was a comprehensive victory for WPH as they won by 46 runs. Like his counterpart, WPH skipper Dwayne Bravo also was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3/24 in his 4 overs.

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#5 David Warner’s return lasts two balls

Like Steve Smith yesterday, all eyes were on star Australian opener David Warner who is currently serving a 12-month ban from international cricket. Warner who didn’t feature in the IPL did have a few net sessions in the lead up to this game.

After Smith successful return (where he scored 61), the focus was on Warner and how he would return to competitive cricket. But his first stint at the crease in more than three months lasted just 2 deliveries as he was castled by Lasith Malinga.

WPH lost the toss and were put into bat by MNT and Warner strode out to open the batting alongside Lendl Simmons. The latter faced the first five deliveries off the first over. Warner got off the mark on the first delivery he faced as he tucked one to the leg-side. But on the first delivery off the second over, Malinga ended Warner’s stay at the crease as he went through the former Australian vice-captain’s defence.

However, Warner did quite well in the field as he pouched 3 catches and also effected a run-out with a direct hit from mid-off.

#4 Captains have a field day with their individual performances

Image Courtesy: Willow TV

It’s not often you see two bowling captains leading opposite sides. Yes, Dwayne Bravo is an all-rounder but he does play a big role with the ball.

Bravo who is leading Winnipeg Hawks squared off against Lasith Malinga-led Montreal Tigers in the second game of this Global T20 Canada tournament. And both returned as the most successful bowlers for their respective sides.

Lasith Malinga was the only bowler for MNT who showed some sort of control as he took 2/19 in his 4 overs. He picked up the wickets of David Warner and Darren Bravo and more importantly conceded just 8 runs in his last two overs, bowling at the death.

Bravo took 3/24 in his 4 overs as he displayed decent control with all his variations. Bravo dismissed Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin and Kevon Cooper in his 4-over spell.

#3 WPH unearth a star in ‘unknown’ Ali Khan

Image Courtesy: Willow TV

Not a lot of people would’ve heard the name, Ali Khan. In fact, the number of people who know this right-arm pacer from the United States of America might be very limited. He is a Pakistan-born player who is currently plying his trade with USA cricket. He has featured in one Caribbean Premier League (CPL) game when he played for Jamaica Tallawahs in 2016.

But playing for Winnipeg Hawks, he opened the bowling and dismissed Dwayne Smith off his second ball. He bowled a decent first spell as he conceded just 9 runs in his first two overs.

He then came back in the 13th over and picked up the wicket of Sikandar Raza who was going great guns. He finished his 4-over spell with figures of 2/18. He impressed with his pace and his ability to churn out yorkers at will.

#2 WPH batting shines

Montreal Tigers v Winnipeg Hawks: Global T20 Canada

After being put into bat, the Hawks had lost David Warner in the second over. But the rest of the batsmen stepped up as they put up a huge total of 203 on the board. Despite the early wicket, Lendl Simmons went hard at the top as along with Ben McDermott, he helped WPH to score 62 in the powerplay. The former fell in the 8th over for 36 but McDermott kept going.

He was joined by Darren Bravo and the two shared a superb 76-run stand. The Tasmanian wicket-keeper batsman scored 68 while Darren Bravo a 29-ball 54. David Miller then came and finished the innings in style as he struck a quick-fire 35 to propel WPH to 203. Apart from David Warner, every batsman in the top 5 got past 30 and it made the difference.

#1 MNT were never in the chase against disciplined WPH bowlers

Montreal Tigers v Winnipeg Hawks: Global T20 Canada

Chasing 204 was never going to be easy and the Tigers needed a good start upfront. However, they lost star opener Dwayne Smith in the first over and could only manage to score 39 in their first six. Sunil Narine who struck a couple of sixes in the 4th over had to walk off the field after he was hit on the helmet.

Four of the Tigers’ top 5 batsmen went past the 20-run mark but none of them could convert it into a big one. Sikandar Raza was the only batsman who looked in total control as he scored a 13-ball 30 and got out in the 13th over to almost killing the game.

WPH bowlers were bowled very well. Dwayne Bravo and Canada leg-spinner Junaid Siddiqui took 3 wickets each while USA pacer Ali Khan impressed with a couple of wickets. Most of the bowlers were disciplined with their line and length and eventually, they led WPH to a 46-run victory.