Bethell fails after injury scare in RCB defeat

[Reuters]

England batter Jacob Bethell was dismissed cheaply after an injury scare as Royal Challengers Bengaluru were beaten by bottom-of-the-table Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League.

Bethell, whose participation in the tournament has been debated in recent weeks, injured a finger attempting a catch as Mitchell Marsh's century helped LSG pile up 209-3 in 19 overs in between rain delays.

He left the field for treatment but was able to open the batting.

The left-hander made 14, 20 and five in his previous innings at this year's IPL and this time was caught for four from five balls slicing a catch to deep third.

Former captain Sir Alastair Cook was among those to suggest the 22-year-old should be playing county cricket in preparation for England's Test series against New Zealand next month.

Australian Marsh's century came from 49 balls, the fastest by a Lucknow player in the IPL. Their next highest scorer was West Indian Nicholas Pooran with 38.

RCB's target was adjusted to 213 in 19 overs because of the rain but the defending champions lost Bethell and Virat Kohli for a two-ball duck in the first two overs.

RCB needed 91 from the last six overs before hitting from Tim David, Krunal Pandya and Romario Shepherd kept them in the contest.

They required a further 20 from the last over but managed only 10. Lucknow won by nine runs via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method to end a six-match losing run.

Lucknow remain bottom of the standings but are now level on points with Mumbai Indians. RCB are third having missed the chance to go top.

• IPL table