Fast bowler Cornelius de Villiers bowled a sensational Super Over as Diamond Eagles qualified for the next stage of the Champions League Twenty20, knocking out Sussex Sharks in a thrilling Group B match at the Ferozeshah Kotla.
After Diamond Eagles set a target of 10 runs, De Villiers rattled the stumps off Dwayne Smith and Rory Hamilton Brown in successive deliveries in the Super Over as Eagles qualified for the league stage.
Chasing 120 to win, opener Rilee Rossouw struck a flamboyant 65 off 62 balls and Ryan McLaren (17 not out) hit a last ball four off Yasir Arafat as Eagles made 119 for four in 20 overs and tie the match.
In the Super Over, Man of the Match Rossouw hit a huge six off Arafat as Eagles made nine runs. But it was all over for Sussex in two balls as De Villiers bowled an impeccable line to knock off the stumps.
The credit, however, should be given to the 20-year-old Rossouw, who completely dominated the innings with some crispy shots. His matured innings was studded with seven fours and two sixes as Diamond Eagles looked on course for an easy win.
Spinners Piyush Chawla and skipper Michael Yardy bowled a tight line to keep Sussex in the hunt. Chawla picked up two for 17 from his four overs while Yardy gave away just 13 runs from his quota to set up a tight finish.
Eagles needed 12 runs off the last over and Ryan hit two fours in the last three balls to raise their hopes of staying alive in the tournament.
Opting to bat first, Sussex Sharks batsmen paid the price of reckless batting as their innings folded up at 119 for seven in 20 overs. Joe Gatting was the top scorer with 25 off 22 balls while Ed Joyce made 21.
Sussex made a bright start with the Luke Wright blasting 19 runs off 12 balls. The all-rounder whacked the first ball he faced for a huge six over bowler Victor Mpitsang.
In the next over, Wright smashed De Villiers for a six and four in consecutive deliveries before being bowled. Wright’s dismissal triggered a collapse as the English county team lost four wickets for just 26 runs.
New South Wales is the other team from the group to qualify for the next stage.
