Smith, Lynn hit straps in latest IPL outing

Australians Chris Lynn and Steve Smith top-scored for their respective sides but it was Lynn's Kolkata Knight Riders that prevailed over Rajasthan Royals by eight wickets in the Indian Premier League on Sunday.

Smith hit his first half-century of the tournament – an unbeaten 73 off 59 balls – to guide Rajasthan to 3-139, boosting his return from a ball-tampering ban that ended March 28.

In reply, Lynn also reached the milestone for the first time, creaming 50 from 32 balls in a devastating 91-run opening stand with West Indian Sunil Narine that effectively decided the match as the Knight Riders cruised home with 37 balls to spare.

While fellow former leader David Warner has been in impressive form to top the batting chart with 279 runs in five matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Smith finally hit big after scores of 20, 28 and 38.

The 29-year-old built crucial partnerships including a 72-run second-wicket stand with England's Jos Buttler, who made 37, after being invited to bat first.

"He is not a big-hitter of the ball," said West Indies great Brian Lara in commentary. "He's not an Andre Russell or a Ben Stokes. He gets the gaps.

"He had a bit of hand injury as well. I respect him."

The former Australia captain also took a sharp catch at first slip off the bowling of leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal to dismiss Sunil Narine for 47.

Smith and Warner are keen to impress with their performance in the world's most popular T20 league that runs close to the World Cup, which starts for Australia on June 1 against Afghanistan.