It was a great win: Kallis

Hyderabad, Sep 20 (IANS) Kolkata Knight Riders captain Jacques Kallis Monday said it was a 'great win' against Auckland Aces because his team had lost a couple of close games earlier, and that each player 'delivered' when it was needed the most.

Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Auckland Aces by two runs in a qualifying Pool B match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here Monday.Opting to bat first, Kolkata Knight Riders folded their innings for 121 for six in 20 overs. Openers Manvinder Bisla was the top scorer with 45 while Jacques Kallis, who is leading the side in the absence of injuredGautam Gambhir , made 33.Run outs and two wickets from Kolkata Knight Riders spinner Yusuf Pathan reduced Auckland Aces to 77 for five and they could only get to 119 for six in 20 overs. Lou Vincent was the top scorer with 40.

Kallis said: 'It was a great win because we lost a couple of close games earlier. It was a great show by all guys, each one delivered that he needs to.'We were few runs short. Myself and Bisla... we got the team into a great position but then it was not a 160-run wicket. We were batting under tough conditions.'The batting performance of both sides was disappointing. We should have scored 135 140 runs. The guys fought back and it was a great team spirit,' Kallis said. Gareth Hopkins, losing captain of the Auckland Aces, said the result was disappointing for them, 'because we came so close but could not win. We have a must-win game tomorrow and we have a plan for this.'