Symonds leads Deccan charge

KIMBERLEY, SOUTH AFRICA // Andrew Symonds hit 60 not out to lead the Deccan Chargers to 168-5 against the Kings XI Punjab today in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Australia all-rounder, playing his first IPL match of the season, hit two boundaries and four sixes in 36 balls. He shared the highest fifth-wicket stand of the tournament with Venugopal Rao (32 off 25 balls). "We probably got 10 runs more than what we hoped for," Symonds said. "It's a good target to defend. I'm pretty happy with what we ended up with."

Symonds revived Deccan's innings after a period of dominance by the Punjab bowlers. Deccan lost captain Adam Gilchrist for 20 in the fourth over when the former Australia wicketkeeper flicked a short delivery from Sree Santh to Ramesh Powar in the deep. The Australia fast bowler Brett Lee, also playing for the first time in the series, was impressive with the new ball, bowling at good pace and length to claim 1-24 from four overs.

Herschelle Gibbs on 13 followed in the seventh over after Mahela Jayawardene held on to a low catch at point off legspinner Piyush Chawla. Tirumalsetti Suman was next when he was caught on 27 on the boundary by Jayawardene off Wilkin Mota to leave Deccan on 70-3 in the tenth over. Rohit Sharma then edged to wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara off Lee for 9 in the 11th over. The last wicket to fall was Venugopal Rao, who was run out by Simon Katich's throw back to Sangakkara in the final over.

*AP