McCullum stars in Kochi victory

KOCHI, Apl 19 (AFP): Brendon McCullum smashed a rapidfire 47 to power Kochi Tuskers Kerala to a seven-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings in an Indian Premier League match Monday. The New Zealander hit three sixes and four boundaries in his 33-ball knock as Kochi achieved a rain-revised target of 135 with two overs to spare in a match reduced to 17-overs-a-side. It was Kochi's second win and Chennai's second defeat in four matches. McCullum, who hit two sixes off South African paceman Albie Morkel early in his innings, added 51 off just six overs for the second wicket with Parthiv Patel, who scored a 26-ball 34. Brief scores: Chennai Super Kings 131-4 in 17 overs (S. Raina 50, M. Vijay 28) lost to Kochi Tuskers Kerala 135-3 in 15 overs (B. McCullum 47, P. Patel 34; R. Ashwin 2-31) by seven wickets (DL method).