CL T20: Redbacks hand KKR second defeat in 2 matches

Callum Ferguson scored a majestic unbeaten half-century to power South Australia Redbacks to a convincing 19 runs win over Kolkata Knight Riders in a Champions League Twenty20 match here today.

Ferguson produced a blistering 40-ball 70-run unbeaten knock and together with Daniel Christian (42) added 84 runs off just 48 deliveries for the fourth wicket to help South Australia post a challenging 188 for five in their 20 overs.

And then the Australian team produced a disciplined bowling and fielding effort to restrict KKR to 169 for nine.

Manoj Tiwary top-scored for KKR with 40 off 31 balls while Ryan ten Doeschate (32 off 16) played a useful handful towards the end.

Gary Putland (3/31) and Daniel Harris (3/42) shone with the ball for South Australia sharing six wickets between them.

For KKR, it their second consecutive defeat after having lost to Somerset by five wickets in their tournament opener.

On the other hand, the win opened South Australia's account in the tournament following their 50-run loss to Warriors in the opening match.

Chasing the steep target today, KKR were never in the hunt as they lost wickets at regular intervals.

KKR's chase started on a shaky note, losing three wickets including captain Gautam Gambhir, inside the 50-run mark.

Opener Manvinder Bisla (13) showed promise hitting Nathan Lyon for three fours in the first over before he was cleaned up by Kane Richardson in the next.

Shakib Al Hasan (13) and Gambhir (9) failed to live upto their reputation and were dismissed cheaply as KKR slumped to 51 for three after seven overs.

Jacques Kallis (20) and Tiwary raised visions of a fightback stitching 35 runs off 25 balls for the fourth wicket before the former was snared caught and bowled by Harris.

Big-hitting Yusuf Pathan (5) and Tiwary then departed in consecutive overs to make life difficult for KKR.