Cricket news round-up – May 5: Rajasthan eliminated, Hyderabad make a mess

Rajasthan Royals’s poor campaign ended on Saturday after defeat by Delhi Capitals, even as Royal Challengers Bangalore saw off Sunrisers Hyderabad to make matters difficult for the play-off hopefuls.

Elsewhere, Jofra Archer said he was “happy” at the England camp, and Chris Gayle rejoins Jamaica Tallahwahs.

Delhi put final nail in Rajasthan’s coffin
Rajasthan Royals’ faint hopes of securing a play-off position was ended on Saturday after a five-wicket loss to Delhi Capitals. 

Rajasthan posted a paltry 115/9, thanks largely to Riyan Parag’s 49-ball 50. That target proved no match for Delhi Capitals, with Rishabh Pant hammering a 38-ball 53*. 

Delhi did lose five wickets in their chase, and had Rajasthan managed to post a better total, they might yet have had a chance of victory. 

However, Rajasthan finished with 11 points from 14 matches.

Hyderabad make things difficult for themselves
Hyderabad had a chance to secure a play-off spot and they didn’t take when they were defeated by Royal Challengers Bangalore by four wickets.

Hyderabad posted 175/7 – largely thanks to Kane Williamson’s 43-ball 70* – but despite losing Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers early, Bangalore managed to chase that down with four balls to spare, with Shimron Hetmyer and Gurkeerat Singh scoring half-centuries.

Defeat left Hyderabad hoping for a Mumbai Indians victory over Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday – any other result, even a washout, would be Kolkata secure the final play-off spot. 

Archer not focussed on World Cup spot
Jofra Archer could be England’s trump card at the World Cup. Or he could not be. However, the new England international isn’t too fussed about it.

Rather, he is enjoying being part of the set-up, and despite there being plenty of talk of his call-up forcing disharmony, Archer said the group had been very welcoming.

“It’s been very welcoming,” Archer said. “I knew most of the guys before coming here but it’s nice to come into a new team with some people you know. Sometimes the media can get things wrong and misquote people. Since I’ve been here I didn’t feel any malice at all. It’s a really welcoming bunch of lads. I’m happy.

“It’s game by game, I’m not thinking too far ahead. If I do well here it will probably put my case forward. But I’m not focusing on the World Cup spot.”

Chris Gayle rejoins Jamaica Tallahwahs 
Chris Gayle, the West Indies big-hitter, will rejoin the CPL side Jamaica Tallahwahs after a gap of two years, it was confirmed on Saturday. 

Gayle captained Tallahwahs to the title in 2013 and 2016, but then left to join St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in 2017.

He will now return to Jamaica for the 2019 season. “We are delighted to have Chris playing for his home team for the 2019 season,” Tallawahs COO Jefferson Miller said in a release. “There is no bigger name in Twenty20 cricket, and we can’t wait for him to arrive and make the Jamaican fans proud. We are looking forward to Chris being a big part of our push for a third CPL title.”