Impossible to replace Warner, says Williamson

HYDERABAD: Named captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad after the banned David Warner was ruled out of the Indian Premier League’s 11th edition, Kane Williamson said it’s “impossible” for anyone, including Alex Hales, to be a replacement for the Australian. Williamson was asked about England’s Hales, who was given the task of filling in the big boots of Warner. “I don’t think it’s a matter of replacing David Warner. I think that’s probably an impossible thing to do. He is one of the best T20 batters in the world and for this franchise in the last few years,” Williamson said.

Mumbai Indians kept their playoff hopes alive as they beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 13 runs in the Indian Premier League at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, to stay fifth on the table with eight points.

It was an all-round show from the defending champions as bowlers complemented batsmen by choking Kolkata Knight Riders at the death after Nitish Rana and Robin Uthappa had revived the chase following a dismal start.

CONTRASTING STARTS

Mumbai Indians had got off to a brilliant start due to the form of Suryakumar Yadav and Evin Lewis. The openers toyed with the KKR bowling attack and had piled up 56 runs at the end of the powerplay. While Yadav was more attacking, with both stepping on the throttle, there was no respite for KKR, who used five