Road to the final: Lions

Oct 27, 2012

<b>McKenzie masterclass:</b> Chasing 158 in their tournament opener, Lions were in some trouble at 37 for 2 in the seventh over. Enter Neil McKenzie. Shepherding the teenaged Quinton de Kock, McKenzie went on to take apart the Mumbai bowling with timing and touch-play, instead of power. With pushes through cover, glides to third-man and a flurry of reverse sweeps, McKenzie outscored his partner in century stand that came at 10 an over and, with arguably the innings of the tournament so far, took his team to an <a href="/ci/engine/match/574255.html">eight-wicket win</a>.

McKenzie masterclass: Chasing 158 in their tournament opener, Lions were in some trouble at 37 for 2 in the seventh over. Enter Neil McKenzie. Shepherding the teenaged Quinton de Kock, McKenzie went on to take apart the Mumbai bowling with timing and touch-play, instead of power. With pushes through cover, glides to third-man and a flurry of reverse sweeps, McKenzie outscored his partner in century stand that came at 10 an over and, with arguably the innings of the tournament so far, took his team to an eight-wicket win. •Getty Images

Phangiso marches on: Left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso took 1 for 17 and 2 for 17 in the first two games. In the third, against Sydney Sixers, his team might have lost - their only defeat of the tournament so far - but Phangiso continued to impress. He picked up 3 for 14, including Sydney's top three: Michael Lumb, Shane Watson and Dominic Thornely.•Getty Images

<b>Seeing off CSK:</b> Four days, two IPL heavyweights dealt with. Gulam Bodi, who had struggled against Mumbai Indians, was the top-scorer <a href="/ci/engine/match/574258.html">against Chennai Super Kings</a>, scoring 64 off 46 to help Lions chase down 159.

Seeing off CSK: Four days, two IPL heavyweights dealt with. Gulam Bodi, who had struggled against Mumbai Indians, was the top-scorer against Chennai Super Kings, scoring 64 off 46 to help Lions chase down 159.•Associated Press

<b>Knockout punch:</b> This was a game Lions needed to win to seal their place in the semis and knock three other teams out at one go. And win they did, albeit not at a canter. Chasing 132 <a href="/ci/engine/match/574264.html">against Yorkshire</a>, they needed 43 off 43 with seven wickets in hand before a wobble. In the end, some big hitting from Jean Symes got them home and sparked wild celebrations.

Knockout punch: This was a game Lions needed to win to seal their place in the semis and knock three other teams out at one go. And win they did, albeit not at a canter. Chasing 132 against Yorkshire, they needed 43 off 43 with seven wickets in hand before a wobble. In the end, some big hitting from Jean Symes got them home and sparked wild celebrations.•Getty Images

<b>Delhi demolition:</b> A half-century from Bodi, a quick burst from McKenzie, some fine fielding, Phangiso steady as ever … all that proved to be challenging enough for Delhi Daredevils, but the killer blow was provided by pace bowler Chris Morris. He took two wickets and conceded seven runs in his four overs, accounting for the only two specialist Daredevils batsmen who got into double digits: David Warner and Kevin Pietersen. End result? A <a href="/ci/engine/match/574272.html">22-run victory</a> and a place in the final.

Delhi demolition: A half-century from Bodi, a quick burst from McKenzie, some fine fielding, Phangiso steady as ever … all that proved to be challenging enough for Delhi Daredevils, but the killer blow was provided by pace bowler Chris Morris. He took two wickets and conceded seven runs in his four overs, accounting for the only two specialist Daredevils batsmen who got into double digits: David Warner and Kevin Pietersen. End result? A 22-run victory and a place in the final. •AFP