Rilee Rossouw struck a crucial half-century as Desert Vipers survived a dramatic late collapse to defeat Perth Scorchers XI by one wicket in the Global Super League at the Guyana National Stadium last night.
Chasing 113 for victory, the Vipers reached 113 for nine from 19.5 overs after Rossouw’s attacking 50 from 31 balls placed them in control. However, Akeal Hosein claimed four wickets to give the Scorchers XI a chance of pulling off an unlikely victory.
With nine runs required from the final nine deliveries and only one wicket remaining, Vitel Lawes held his nerve. He finished unbeaten on eight from seven balls and struck the winning boundary with one delivery remaining. Nathan Smith was not out on two.
Rossouw, who was named Player of the Match, struck four fours and three sixes during his innings. His dismissal left the Vipers on 74 for five in the 12th over, but contributions from Vriitya Aravind, who made 16, and Bevon Jacobs, who scored 11, kept the chase moving.
The match appeared to be slipping away when the Vipers lost Pierre and Jacobs with the score on 103 before Sanjay Pahal fell for a duck at 104 for nine. Lawes and Smith then added the remaining nine runs to secure the victory.
Hosein was outstanding for the Scorchers XI, taking four wickets for 15 runs from four overs. Jhye Richardson, Brody Couch and Sufyan Moqim claimed one wicket each, while two Vipers batters were run out.
Earlier, the Scorchers XI struggled to 112 for six after being sent in to bat. Andre Fletcher top-scored with 40 from 47 balls, while Hosein made an unbeaten 32 from 35 deliveries.
The Scorchers XI slipped to 32 for three before Fletcher and Hosein shared a 36-run fourth-wicket partnership. Ashton Agar provided late momentum with an unbeaten 17 from 11 balls, including one four and one six.
Khary Pierre and Lawes led the Vipers’ bowling effort with two wickets each. Pierre conceded only 14 runs from his four overs, while Lawes finished with two for 18. Smith and Shadab Khan collected one wicket apiece.
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