Mumbai Indians (India) 132-9 (Kieron Pollard 41, Shreyas Gopal 24, Scott Styris 3-21, Tim Southee 3-24) lost to the SKYCITY Northern Knights 133-4 (Kane Williamson 53, Anton Devcich 39) by six wickets.
The SKYCITY Northern Knights have made it three from three in the Champions League Qualifying tournament and progressed to the main draw, having convincingly beating the Mumbai Indians by six wickets at Chhattisgarh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur.
The victory sees them finish top in the qualifying stage and they will join Group B alongside South Africa’s Cape Cobras, Australia’s Hobart Hurricanes, India’s Kings XI Punjab and the West Indies’ Barbados Tridents.
Scorecard: http://scoring.blackcaps.co.nz/livescoring/match2211/scorecard.aspx
Tim Southee (3-24 and Scott Styris (3-21) were devastating with the ball, limiting Mumbai to 132-9. Kane Williamson then sparked the Knights response, playing a controlled yet entertaining knock of 53 from 36 balls. His fine work was completed by Daryl Mitchell, who finished unbeaten on 16 and brought the game to a close after 17.2 overs.
Having won the toss, the Knights opted to bowl first and they quickly justified their decision by reducing Mumbai to 46-5. Southee and Trent Boult were once again causing issues with the new ball, while Styris also made early inroads.
Mumbai though would fight back through their lower order, with Kieron Pollard (31), Shreyas Gopal (24) and Lasith Malinga (20) elevating their side to a somewhat defendable total.
It would not however be enough, with the Knights opening stand of 83 between Williamson and Anton Devcich (39) all but ensuring the victory. The duo were in full command from the start and didn’t relinquish their grip on the match until Devcich’s dismissal in the 10th over.
Three further wickets fell, but the result was never in doubt, with some late hitting from Mitchell wrapping up a comprehensive victory.
The Knights play their first group match of the main draw against the Cape Cobras on Sunday morning (NZ time).
