Rajasthan Royals produced a disciplined all-round performance to notch up a convincing nine-wicket victory over Perth Scorchers and seal their semi-final berth in the Champions league Twenty20 here on Sunday.
Riding on a fine bowling performance by Kevon Cooper (4 for 18) and resolute unbeaten half-centuries by Ajinkya Rahane (62) and Sanju Samson (50), Rajasthan continued their unbeaten run.
The hosts didn't put a foot wrong as they first bundled out the visitors for a modest 120 in their stipulated 20 overs and then returned to overhaul the target with consumate ease, reaching 121 for one in just 16.3 overs.
Rajasthan now have 12 points from three matches and have their last league match here on Tuesday against Otago, who are placed second with 10 points after three outings.
Chasing a victory target of 121 runs, Rajasthan lost their skipper Rahul Dravid (2) in first over but Rahane and Sanju didn't allow it to affect their chase and kept them well in the hunt. The duo added 120 runs for the second wicket, sharing 11 boundaries and four sixes between them in 95 balls at the Sawai Man Singh stadium here.
Earlier, Cooper led a disciplined bowling attack and didn't allow the visitors to get off to a good start. Beside Cooper, Pravin Tambe (2 for 17), James Faulkner (2 for 16) and Shane Watson (1 for 23) also contributed with the ball.
Cooper dismissed Hilton Cartwright (5), Voges (27), Joe Mennie (2) and Ashton Turner (11).
Perth lost liam Davis (18) in the third over and the slide continued with wickets falling till the last delivery of the innings.
Adam Voges was the top scorer with 27 made off 21 balls and the rest of the batting looked pretty inept as they wasted their starts and could never build up a momentum.
Half of the Scorchers side, including Voges, were back to the pavillion within 11.3 overs with the score reading 77.
After that, only Turner and Jason Behrendorff managed to score in double figures while the rest scored in single digit.
Brief Scores
Perth Scorchers: 119 (Adam Voges 27; Kevon Cooper 4/18) lose to Rajasthan Royals: 121/1 in 16.3 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 62 not out, Sanju Samson 50 not out; Jason Beherendorff 1/28) by 9 wickets.