News DeskDubai, UAE – The Desert Vipers extended their winning streak to four in a row after they handed the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders a defeat by 53 runs at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
They are yet to lose a match in the DP World ILT20, and this victory was extra special as it came in the Desert Vipers’ annual Sustainability Match, where the franchise turned the spotlight on the environment and some of the steps that sports teams can take to reduce their impact on the planet.
On the field, victory came thanks to a spectacular batting performance. Alex Hales (58) scored his first half-century of the tournament, while Dan Lawrence and Sam Curran scored 49 and 35 respectively to help the Desert Vipers to 193 for five.
The bowling was also spot-on and it was the spinners who made maximum impact. Nathan Sowter took three wickets (plus a catch and run-out), Wanindu Hasaranga captured two (and produced a brilliant direct hit run-out) and debutant Dhruv Parashar and Dan Lawrence took one wicket apiece, helping to bowl out the Knight Riders for 140 in 17.4 overs.
Fielding coach Simon Helmot was left purring by the display in the field, typified by the fact the player of the match award went to Luke Wood, who took three catches in the outfield and had a hand – actually two hands – in a fourth by catching the ball above the boundary line and then flicking it back to substitute fielder David Payne, who completed the catch and remove the dangerous Andre Russell.
Match Scores:
Toss: Desert Vipers won the toss and chose to bat first
Desert Vipers: 193/5 (20 overs)
Top scorers:
Alex Hales: 58 (36 balls)
Dan Lawrence 49 (32)
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: 140(17.4 overs)
Top scorer:
Joe Clarke 55 (32)
Match Result: Desert Vipers won by 53 runs.
Player of the Match: Luke Wood
Here is a quote from the Vipers Voices post-match vodcast and podcast featuring Desert Vipers CEO Phil Oliver, speaking about the Sustainability Match and victory both on and off the field:
“Four in a row is a fantastic feeling, but yes, we are winning off the field as well. Today has all been about raising awareness of what we are doing on our sustainability journey and trying to bring others with us on that. And it is very much about being green. So, it is great to see green across the board. It really is the theme of the day.
“And it really kicked off with an early start outside of the fan zone. We had lots of kids in to do a special wake and shake which involved getting active and doing some activities with our sustainability impact partner, Carrefour, with their Choose Better campaign.
“It was also an opportunity for the kids to drop off old kit and understand some issues around reuse, reduce and recycle, because that is the key message we are trying to get across.
“Then it moved into the stadium, where we could see the players playing in their green kit, the advertising boards turning green, the presentation of the Bluewater bottle to the opposing captain. So, it is just making it a more visible and tangible representation of what we are doing, and a celebration. And we think we are making a difference, and it is brilliant that we can highlight that.
“It is brilliant to see it all come together on this very special day, but we know there is a lot more to do.”
Here are some quotes from the Vipers Voices post-match vodcast and podcast, also featuring spin bowler Nathan Sowter speaking about the victory :
On the season going well for the Vipers :
“Yes, we are flying, so it is a great start to the tournament. Last year I think we only managed four victories. So, to be four from four and sitting at the top of the table going into another two games in three days – I think we are in a good spot.
“I think obviously you want to keep winning. You keep the foot on the throat, as they say,and keep going and driving towards that play-off. So obviously it will come more into fruition after these next two games and after that I think we have a two-day break.
“I think if we can go into that break as six and six then it sets up nicely so we can control our own destiny and hopefully finish in those top two places.
I think we’d be quite disappointed now if we didn’t finish in that top two.”
On bowling with three other spinners in Wanindu Hasaranga, Dan Lawrence and Dhruv Parashar:
“Yes, it is obviously always good when you have got a few spinners because it tends to go one way or the other way. So if one bowls well, the other one might get a few wickets or vice versa. You might end up on the bad end of a few big shots, which ended up being the case today.
“But I think with the other three that we had in the team, everyone did an exceptional job today.”
On his own bowling performance today after taking three wickets:
“I would like to have bowled a bit better. It did not feel as good as it can be at times. But I think I bowled better in Abu Dhabi and got no rewards. And then tonight you get three when you do not bowl that well. So, the game is quite fickle and does not really make sense some days.
“But you take the wickets, and you move on the next game. And hopefully if you get another opportunity to do the same job again just try to execute a bit better.”
On the fielding performance of the team and Luke Wood in particular:
“It was incredible. We practised these catches (on the boundary’s edge) during warm-ups before play.
“We are trying to work towards those magic moments, and moments like that change games. So I think it was hats off to Woody. I think he worked hard on that, and he got the rewards today. And I felt that he deserved the player of the match award.”
The Desert Vipers’ next match of the 2025 DP World ILT20 is on Monday January 20th, against the Dubai Capitals at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai, starting at 6:30 pm.
