NSW overcame a top order collapse to stay in the hunt for the Champions League Twenty20 cricket semi-finals with a five-wicket win over previously unbeaten Mumbai Indians.
Chasing just 101 to win, NSW slumped to 5-28 in the seventh over at Chennai on Sunday.
A unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 74 between Steve Smith (45 not out off 47 balls) and Ben Rohrer 26 not out off 28) guided NSW to victory with three overs to spare.
The win lifted NSW to second prior to the second match of the day’s double-header between Chennai Super Kings and Trinidad and Tobago.
NSW play the Super Kings in their last group game on Wednesday morning (AEDT), with the top two sides from each five-team group advancing to the semi-finals.
“There was not a lot of bounce in the wicket and our quicker bowlers did a great job today and to restrict them to 100 was a fantastic effort,” NSW captain Simon Katich said.
Smith, who hit the only six of the game, offered one chance on 35 when Kieron Pollard dropped a sharp return catch.
“It was about just giving ourselves a chance getting ourselves in and we were there at the end,” Smith said.
NSW restricted Mumbai to 7-100 after the Indian team won the toss.
New Zealand all-rounder James Franklin (42 not out off 51 balls) held the Mumbai innings together..
Veteran paceman Stuart Clark (2-15 off four) made the early incisions in the Mumbai innings, taking two wickets in three balls across his first two overs.
He bowled Australian Aiden Blizzard (1 off 4) with his fifth delivery and had Ambati Rayadu (2 off 5) well caught at slip by Shane Watson with the second ball of his second over.
Teenage paceman Patrick Cummins (1-13 of four overs) enhanced his growing reputation with another fine spell, highlighted by the prized wicket of renowned big-hitter Kieron Pollard (8 off 9)
The West Indian powerhouse had his stumps splayed by a 149 km/h rocket as he unwisely hit across the line to a straight ball.
Mumbai’s other power-hitter Andrew Symonds (9 off 17) was also out to a horrible shot, bowled by impressive spinner Stephen O’Keefe (2-18 off 4 ).
When NSW batted, Abu Nechim (3-23 off four) managed to overshadow his illustrious new ball partner Lasith Malinga (1-23 off four).
Australian representatives Watson (3 off 6), David Warner (12 off 4), and Katich (0 off 4) all perished inside the first three overs and were quickly joined by Daniel Smith (8 off 8) and Moises Henriques (0 off 5).
Scores: MUMBAI INDIANS 7-100 (James Franklin 42 not out, Stuart Clark 2-15, Stephen O’Keefe 2-18) after 20 overs. NSW BLUES 5-101 (Steve Smith 45 not out, Abu Nechim 3-23) after 17 overs.
NSW Blues won by five wickets
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