Victoria powerless against Davids

Andrew Puttick and the Cobras were clearly rattled by the security issue that delayed the start of the match by 100 minutes, shortening the match to 17 overs a side. That didn't stop them from crushing Victoria by eight wickets, which also dumped Royal Challengers Bangalore out of the tournament. The inspiration behind the victory was an unbeaten 69 from the big-hitting Henry Davids.

Herschelle Gibbs and Ryan Canning were missing but the match again showed off the depth and variety of batting talent in the Cobras line-up. JP Duminy had won them their first game against Bangalore, Puttick and Justin Ontong were the stars against Otago, and today it was the turn of Derek Brand (getting his first game) and Davids to batter the opposition.

After Victoria were limited to 125 by an efficient Cobras, Brand provided the chase the perfect start. He clobbered five fours and a six in the first four overs to lop a run off the required-rate. Just when Victoria were relieved at getting rid of Brand, Davids entered.

He started with a delicate dab past short third man for four, one of the few soft touches in a power-packed half-century. Left-arm spinner Jon Holland was hammered for a couple of leg-side sixes in his first two overs, bringing the asking rate below a run a ball. With Duminy sensibly giving him most of the strike, Davids took Cobras to a comprehensive victory that silenced the home crowd.