Daniel Harris (57, 38b, 7x4, 2x6) and Michael Klinger (69 n.o., 57b, 9x4, 1x6) powered South Australia Redbacks to its third consecutive win of the Champions League Twenty20 tournament on Friday.
The victory ensured South Australia's spot in the semifinals. It was set up by Shaun Tait (two for 23) and Daniel Christian (four for 23), who enabled their side dismiss Royal Challengers Bangalore for 154. Klinger's aggressive captaincy enhanced his bowlers' effectiveness.
Harris and Klinger then batted with control and skill to all but settle the contest. Harris was run out, bringing to an end the 124-run opening stand, and Graham Manou was bowled by Anil Kumble, but South Australia completed a comfortable eight-wicket win with nine balls to spare.
Earlier, South Australia's new-ball pair of Tait and Gary Putland rocked Bangalore, removing Manish Pandey and Robin Uthappa respectively.
But Ross Taylor (46, 28b, 8x4, 1x6) counter-attacked magnificently and dominated the third-wicket partnership of 46 with an out-of-sorts Rahul Dravid.
Klinger brought Shaun Tait back and the move paid off immediately. The fast-bowler forced Taylor to edge behind.
With Dravid having departed earlier, adjudged caught-behind off an attempted paddle-sweep, and Virat Kohli exiting after failing to keep a cut to ground, Bangalore slid to 76 for five.
A 58-run partnership between Dillon du Preez and Cameron White for the sixth wicket addressed the problem.
Du Preez targeted deep mid-wicket to great effect in his knock of 46, which included four sixes.
The scores: Royal Challengers Bangalore: M. Pandey c Harris b Tait 4 (5b, 1x4), R. Dravid c Manou b O'Brien 4 (11b), R. Uthappa c Ferguson b Putland 0 (2b), R. Taylor c Manou b Tait 46 (28b, 8x4, 1x6), C. White c Putland b Christian 25 (29b, 1x4), V. Kohli c Tait b Bailey 3 (7b), D. du Preez c Harris b Christian 46 (25b, 1x4, 4x6), P. Kumar b Putland 6 (3b, 1x6), V. Kumar c Borgas b Christian 6 (7b), D. Steyn b Christian 0 (1b), A. Kumble (not out) 1 (1b); Extras (lb-2, w-11): 13; Total (in 19.5 overs): 154.
Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-7, 3-53, 4-69, 5-76, 6-134, 7-140, 8-152, 9-153.
South Australia Redbacks bowling: Tait 4-0-23-2, Putland 4-0-37-2, O'Brien 4-0-28-1, Christian 3.5-0-23-4, Bailey 3-0-29-1, Harris 1-0-12-0.
South Australia Redbacks: D. Harris (run out) 57 (38b, 7x4, 2x6), M. Klinger (not out) 69 (57b, 9x4, 1x6), G. Manou b Kumble 0 (3b), C. Ferguson (not out) 21 (14b, 2x4); Extras (lb-5, nb-1, w-2): 8; Total (for two wkts. in 18.3 overs): 155.
Fall of wickets: 1-124, 2-125.
Royal Challengers Bangalore bowling: P. Kumar 4-0-28-0, Steyn 4-0-38-0, du Preez 3-0-26-0, Kumble 4-0-25-1, V. Kumar 3.3-0-33-0.
