Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) faced Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a potential four-pointer clash at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. LSG are placed fifth on the points table, and a win for the visitors in Hyderabad would get them leapfrogged, against today's opponents.
Matthew Hayden, who was on commentary duties during the match, was quite critical of the LSG top-order, for their run-scoring rate in the batting power play. LSG did lose two wickets early on, but it does not grant them the license to score a meagre 27 runs in the first six, does it!
Even with so much at stake, the Lucknow batters failed to deliver in a crunch game. KL Rahul & Co. batted at a tortoise pace during the power play, failing to take advantage of the field restrictions. The visitors scored only 27 runs in the first six overs and were at the 73-run mark at the end of the 13th over.
Despite falling to up the ante for 65% of the innings, LSG put up a total above 160. Ayush Badoni and Nicholas Pooran played their skins out, to bring their side to a fighting score.
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What did Matthew Hayden say about LSG's top-order display against SRH?
Matthew Hayden was critical of the batting display from Lucknow's top-order against Sunrisers. The visitors lost their four wickets for 66, in the 12th over.
Hayden, who was on commentary duties in the first innings of the LSG vs SRH game, recalled how the LSG top-order failed to show any intent in the batting powerplay. The first six overs (field restrictions) is the easiest time to score, with only two players stationed outside the 30-yard circle.
Speaking on JioCinema, the Aussie legend said,
The first 4-5 overs, they were too slow. There was no intent up the top. It was the easiest time to score, with field restrictions and a harder ball. Look at Badoni and Pooran who showed intent and scored at a higher rate with a softer ball at the death, Hayden criticised the LSG top-order on air.
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Individual scores of Lucknow Super Giants batters against SRH
| Name | Runs (Balls) | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|
| KL Rahul | 29 (33) | 87.88 |
| Quinton de Kock | 2 (5) | 40.00 |
| Marcus Stoinis | 3 (5) | 60.00 |
| Krunal Pandya | 24 (21) | 114.29 |
| Nicholas Pooran | 48* (26) | 184.62 |
| Ayush Badoni | 55* (30) | 183.33 |
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