Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne transported their comeback party to Houston this week for the second outing of the Cricket All Stars.
While Sourav Ganguly joined in on the fun in the tour’s Texan stop-over, he couldn’t affect much change in his team’s fortunes- Sachin’s Blasters getting beaten by Warne’s Warriors by 57 runs.
Dada’s entry though wasn’t the only squad change for the Houston crowd. Sachin rested Ambrose, Hooper, Laxman and Moin Khan and instead played out Bengal Tiger, Glenn McGrath, Lance Klusener and Graeme Swann.
Also, Mahela Jayawardene donned the gloves for the Blues.
Our two favourite Sri Lankans behind the wicket wasn’t the only friend-to-foes equation switch in the air-conditioned arena at Minute Maid Park.
How about Matty Hayden smashing Glenn McGrath for a buttery maximum down the line. Hayden finished with 32 runs and Pigeon with one wicket, of Hayden.
The biggest fireworks though came off Sanga’s bat.
Six maximums, six boundaries in just 30 deliveries as he top-scored with 70.
Why exactly was he allowed to retire?
Warne’s XI posted 262 in their 20 overs.
Cue: Traditional Sehwag slog.
Coming out to open with Sachin(not Ganguly) the Delhi nee Haryana batsman sent two out of the park before chipping one onto his stumps off - Ajit Agarkar.
Sachin got a few big hits in as well, but Warne ultimately won this battle as well, winning the match by 57 runs.
The final T20 is in LA on November 14.
P.S. Graeme Swann faced his 8 deliveries at a strike rate of 275.00.
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