Watson pummels poor Pune

Australian all-rounder belts 10 fours and four sixes for Royals

Last updated: 8th May 2012  

Watson pummels poor Pune

Shane Watson: brutal innings

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Shane Watson blasted 90 not out to lead Rajasthan Royals to a seven-wicket thrashing of Pune Warriors in the Indian Premier League.

The Australian all-rounder crashed four sixes and 10 fours in his brutal 51-ball knock that saw the Royals chase down a target of 126 with 22 balls to spare.

Waston had found himself at the crease midway through the second over after opener Ajinkya Rahane had fallen for a three-ball duck.

He reached his half-century in just 27 deliveries and pounded 15 runs in the ninth over. There was an early scare, however, when he was caught over the boundary by compatriot Steve Smith at long-off.

Onslaught

Rahul Dravid (14) and Ashok Menaria (18) played supporting roles during the onslaught by Watson, who sealed the win with a four off Smith's bowling.

Pune had earlier been restricted to 125-6 in their innings, Anustup Majumdar top-scoring for Pune with 30 from 20 balls - no other batsman reached 20.

Shaun Tait finished with excellent figures of 3-13 from his four overs, Warriors skipper Sourav Ganguly (14) and India international Robin Uthappa (13) amongst the Australian paceman's victims.

Michael Clarke made 16 at the top of the order and Smith finished up unbeaten on 18, though no home batsman was able to break the shackles.

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