GT20 Canada: Fletcher, Ronchi overpower Nationals, Royals win by 8 wickets

Andre Fletcher’s unbeaten 39-ball 68 which played a major role in registering a massive victory while chasing a competitive target of 170 runs

Sohail Tanvir led Edmonton Royals defeated Darren Sammy’s Toronto Nationals by 8 wickets in the 3^rd match of the Global T20 Canada.

Credit goes to Andre Fletcher’s unbeaten 39-ball 68 which played the major role in registering a massive victory while chasing a competitive target of 170 runs.

The Royals had a blistering start with Luke Ronchi’s lethal as he smashed three consecutive boundaries to begin the innings. After hitting a six on the fifth ball, the Kiwi wicketkeeper hit another four to end the first over.

While the Nationals sensed the problem right in the beginning, Royals had earned the required momentum. Ronchi continued his terrific batting for the next few overs. However, he missed his half-century by just 3 runs and ended up scoring 47 off mere 18 balls with the help of 2 sixes and 8 fours.

Ronchi’s dismissal didn’t bother the Royals much as Fletcher anchored the innings decently and Agha Salman, who cam in to bat at No. 3, backed him to get near victory as soon as possible. The duo stitched a partnership of 73 runs before Agha was removed by Kieron Pollard on 38.

What a victory by #EdmontonRoyals!! #NTvER #6sInThe6ix #GT20Canada pic.twitter.com/kYSXX88YJN

— GT20 Canada (@GT20Canada) June 30, 2018

Captain Sammy deployed as many as 7 bowlers so as to restrict the Royals’ batsmen. However, the end result turned out to be disappointing as they failed to defend the total. All the bowlers, except Nikhil Dutta and Steven Smith, conceded over 9 runs per over.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Naveed bowled propbably the worst ball of the game. While bowling to Luke Ronchi, the ball slipped off his hands and went high up in the air, passing over the wicketkeeper.

Here's the video:

Ball of d Century #GT20Canada pic.twitter.com/j7rxPSE34v

— Bittuuu ! (@tharungstars) June 30, 2018

Earlier in the match, Toronto Nationals were put to bat first where they had terrible beginning. Opener Nizakat Khan went for a duck in the very first over while his partner, Johnson Charles joined him in the dressing in the next over.

After the failure of the top order, Nitish Kumar and Kieron Pollard took the charge of the damage control and added 56 runs off 35 balls. Pollard dominated Shahid Afridi before the leg-spinner eventually had the better of him in the 11^th over.

Nitish Kumar scored a magnificent half century but lacked a support from the other end. He ended up scoring 55 off 37 including 3 sixes and 4 boundaries.

Brief Scores:

Toronto Nationals - 169/7 in 20 overs (Nitish Kumar 55, Kieron Pollard 28; Wayne Parnell 2-24, Mohammad Irfan 1-22)

Edmonton Royals - 173/2 in 15 overs (Andre Fletcher 68*, Luke Ronchi 47*; Kieron Pollard 1-18, Kesrick Williams 1-44)