De Villiers century

Gives Daredevils thrilling victory:

AB de Villiers won the battle of the master blasters against Matthew Hayden on Thursday to give Delhi Daredevils a nine-run win over Chennai Super Kings in an Indian Premier League thriller.

South African De Villiers rode his luck to finish unbeaten on 105 as Delhi made 189-5 in their 20 overs and Australian Hayden hit 57 as he triggered a heroic run chase that ended at 180-9 after a late collapse at Kingsmead.

Victory maintained the 100 percent record of Delhi while Chennai suffered their second loss in three matches in a tournament switched to South Africa because a clash with Indian general elections created security concerns.

“I kept it simple, hit the ball and enjoyed myself. I really had to work hard for my first 50 as my timing was a bit off, but the runs flowed from then on,” De Villiers said after the first ton of the 59-match tournament.

Delhi team-mate Paul Collingwood of England branded the De Villiers innings “perfect” and recently retired Test batsman Hayden called it a “magnificent, patient and methodical” stand.

Daredevils lost their openers inside the first two overs and needed a hero. Enter De Villiers to gradually subdue his opponents and hit six sixes and five fours in a 54-ball masterclass.

He did have a moment of luck after reaching 50 when compatriot Albie Morkel was guilty of sloppy fielding at the boundary to drop a simple opportunity of sending De Villiers packing.

Hayden made a quickfire 57 in a reply that was on track until former England skipper Andrew Flintoff was caught by substitute David Warner to leave Chennai on 156-5 and two last-over run-outs settled the outcome. DURBAN, South Africa, Friday, AFP