CLT20 2011 Qualifier: Auckland v Somerset – Match Preview
After losing their opening game of the Champions League T20 Qualifiers to Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday night, Auckland Aces are all set to play County side http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Somerset-c843 in the second and their last match of the CLT20 qualifying round.
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hyderabad-c792 will host the match on Tuesday, September 20, and the New Zealanders would have to win today’s game to keep their hopes of playing in the main tournament alive.
Losing last night’s humdinger to KKR was a heartbreak for the Kiwis, who were so near, yet too far. The New Zealanders did everything possible to win the nail-biter against King Khan’s Knight Riders, but fell short of just two runs in the end.
Despite losing opener Martin Guptill on the first ball of the chase, the Aces were in a commanding position as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lou-Vincent-c73143 shared a 60-run stand for the second wicket partnership within 10 overs, but the Kolkata bowlers performed amazingly
in the latter half of Auckland innings to contain the opposition batsman to 119 at the end of their allotted quota of 20 overs.
Somerset, the runners up of England’s domestic T20 tournament, have landed without the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/C-Kieswetter-c1206. Buttler and Kieswetter were both unavailable for selection due to national duties.
However, the depleted Somerset squad still has enough in their ranks to look forward to a healthy competition. In the absence of Kieswetter at the top of the order, James Hildreth, Alex Barrow and Nick Compton will have to play responsibly.
Their pace attack will be led by Steve Kirby and Alfonso Thomas, while Murali Kartik would be their main gun in the spin armoury.
The Auckland Aces are likely to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Adrian-Roger-Kirshaw-Pierson-c42135 to last night’s playing XI.
The Toss is expected to play crucial role in determining the outcome of the game. The toss-winning skipper is expected to bat first, considering that the Rajiv Gandhi wicket slows down drastically as the match proceeds. Chasing under lights at this venue
will be undoubtedly an arduous task.
Since it would be the second match of the day, and the fourth in two days, their might some more wear and tear in the wicket, favouring the spinners.
Probable Playing XI
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bruce-Edward-Martin-c48703.
Somerset : Alex Barrow, Nick Compton, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Steve-Kirby-c2577.
Tags: