Murali Vijay's 73 helps CSK post 162/6 against Victoria

Opener Murali Vijay cracked a breezy 53-ball 73 as Chennai Super Kings posted 162 for six against Victoria Bushrangers in their Champions League Twenty20 Group A match in Port Elizabeth today.

Batting first, Chennai played a strategic game against the Australian domestic champions and were off to a steady start with Michael Hussey (25) and Vijay producing a 68-run opening partnership.

Vijay, who struck five fours and four sixes, completed his half-century in the 13th over, stealing a single off medium pacer John Hastings.

Both the batsmen started cautiously on a placid St George's Park pitch and did not face much problem in tackling the Victoria bowling attack.

Hussey, who cracked two fours during his 28-ball stay, and Vijay showed good understanding as they kept stealing ones and twos by finding the gaps rather than going for big shots in the initial overs.

The Indian Premier League team suffered their first loss when Hussey fell to leg-spinner Bryce McGain in the penultimate delivery of the 10th over. 

Hussey tried to smash a turning delivery over the deep extra cover region but could not time it properly and Aaron Finch successfully pouched an overhead catch at long-off.

Suresh Raina (10) then joined Vijay in the middle but could not give him company for long.

Raina, who had cracked a boundary in the previous over off Hastings, failed to pick a Clint McKay slower and went for an ambitious shot, but missed the line as the ball crashed onto the stumps.

However, unmoved by the two quick dismissals, Vijay kept his cool and cracked a huge six off McKay in the same over.

After 15 overs, Chennai were 116 for two with captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (22 off 18) giving Vijay company.

Vijay got a life in 16th over when Peter Siddle took a return catch on his run-up but umpire called it a no-ball.

Siddle got the punishment in the very next ball, which Vijay picked early and cracked a beautiful six off it over the extra cover region.

But Chennai suffered a big loss when Hastings removed Vijay in the 17th over as his mistimed pull shot landed in Rob Quiney's hand at long on region.

Dhoni fell prey to Hastings in the 19th over.

S Badrinath (1) also returned to the dugout in the last over but not before the team reached the 150-run mark.

To the end, Justin Kemp (12 off seven, not out) and R Ashwin (4 n.o.) added some quick runs on the board.

For Victoria, McKay and Hastings bagged two wickets apiece, giving away 33 and 22 runs respectively.