Flintoff comes out on top in Pietersen duel
Andrew Flintoff got the better of Kevin Pietersen
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Monday, 20, Apr 2009 10:05
Andrew Flintoff got the better of his England team-mate Kevin Pietersen as the two squared off in the Indian Premier League.
Flintoff scored 22 as his Chennai Super Kings side posted 179 from their 20 overs, with Australian great Matthew Hayden adding 65. Pietersen, who is captaining the Bangalore Royal Challengers, took a wicket as he bowled three overs for 14 runs.
But the England batsman was out for a duck, when he was trapped lbw by Muttiah Muralitharan, as his side were bowled out for a disappointing 87. Six other Royal Challengers players were out in single figures.
"I think I got a little nick on it but such is life," said Pietersen."It's definitely disappointing. Maybe we were resting on our laurels after beating Rajasthan on Saturday. Chennai have pretty much got all departments covered and if they come off they'll be hard to beat."
Flintoff faced an over from Pietersen and swept him for a four. But the England all-rounder didn't get a chance to bowl at his former skipper as Muralitharan took the prized scalp of Pietersen before Flintoff came on to bowl.
"He (Flintoff) definitely inspired us," said Muralitharan. "A player of his calibre can win a match singlehandedly with bat and ball."