Hyderabad: Vernon Philander and Robin Peterson took the Hobart Hurricanes bowlers to the cleaners with some audcaious hitting during the final overs as Cape Cobras made a commanding 184 for six in 20 overs in a group league match of the Oppo Champions League T20 here today.
Peterson struck 25 off 14 balls with two fours and a six while Philander smashed the daylights out of Hurricanes attack with a 32 off 14 balls that had five fours and a six. The duo added 52 runs in final four overs as Cobras crossed 180-run mark when it seemed they would settle for a 160-plus score.
Opting to bat, discarded South African opener Richard Levi (42, 30 balls) started in a whirlwind fashion but his illustrious partner Hashim Amla (8) was dismissed cheaply after a couple of sweetly struck boundaries.
Amla played through the line to a fuller delivery from Ben Hilfenhaus which knocked the middle-stump back.
An on-side player, Levi was severe on anything bowled on his pads by Hilfenhaus or Joe Mennie. In fact he also hit a one-handed six off Mennie over long-on as the batsman had picked the slower delivery early.
Omphile Ramela (21) off 11 balls played a little cameo as 96 came off the first 10 overs bowled by Hurricanes as Cobras also lost Levi in the process which hurt their momentum.
Overs 11-17 produced only 46 runs after which Philander and Peterson suddenly put a foot on the pedal to up the ante.
For Hurricanes, Hilfenhaus took two for 49 but the 18 runs he conceded off the last over can prove to be crucial in the final context of the match. Ben Laughlin (2/31) was the most successful bowler for the Aussie side.
