sport

Smith stars in dramatic finale

Steven Smith enjoyed some good fortune to hit a six and secure a seven-wicket victory for Pune Warriors over Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.

Pune entered the final over needing 10 runs to exceed Chennai's total of 155 for five, with debutant Yo Mahesh taking the ball.

Smith hit him for a boundary and then his next shot found fielder Ravindra Jadeja, who got his hand to the ball but he could only tip it over the boundary for six to secure victory with four balls remaining.

Smith finished unbeaten on 44 off 22 balls, including three sixes and four fours, having shared a stand of 66 with Jesse Ryder, who made 73 off 56 deliveries with one six and seven fours.

The Super Kings won the toss and chose to bat, with Murali Vijay and Francois du Plessis opening.

Du Plessis led from the front, scoring 18 runs in the fourth over off Rahul Sharma, and the pair had put on 43 before Vijay was out for just eight.

With the score on 67, Du Plessis was stumped by Robin Uthappa, his score of 43 coming off 33 balls with two sixes and five fours.

Jadeja, who scored the winning runs against Bangalore, produced a speedy 44 off 26 balls including four boundaries and two sixes.

The hosts started their response with intent but the run rate dropped markedly and Pune were 72 for two at the halfway point.

Ryder and Smith came together with the score at 90 for four and 66 runs needed for victory with 7.2 overs remaining.

The pair gradually upped the run rate before Smith provided the late drama.