• Nortje rips through Royals

    Anrich Nortje delivered the fastest ball ever in IPL history in a scintillating spell of fast bowling as the Delhi Capitals beat the Rajasthan Royals by 13 runs on Wednesday.

    Nortje delivered a bowling masterclass, clocking 156.2km/h, before clean bowling Royals opener Jos Buttler with the very next ball measured at 155.1km/h.

    WATCH: Nortje wins Buttler battle

    That all came after the Capitals posted 161-7 in their 20 overs thanks to decent half-centuries by Shikhar Dhawan and captain Shreyas Iyer.

    In response, Buttler and Ben Stokes were out to make a quick start to the Royals’ chase but the speed from Nortje captured the first wicket of Buttler, who departed for 22.

    Ravi Ashwin, Tushar Deshpande and Axar Patel then got in on the act as Steve Smith, Stokes and Sanju Samson all exited with the Royals struggling with the run rate.

    READ: Best IPL performers so far

    Nortje continued his brilliance and saw out his spell with figures of 2-33 in four overs, while Proteas teammate Kagiso Rabada added a late wicket to finish with very economical figures of 1-28.

    Tight bowling at the death meant the Royals fell short by only managing 148-8 as the Capitals moved to the top of the IPL standings once again with their sixth win of the campaign.

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    Post by

    Andre Huisamen