CLT20 2011 Qualifier: Leicestershire v Ruhuna – Match Preview
After losing their respective openers to the Trinidad and Tobago, Leicestershire Foxes and Ruhuna Rhinos will be up against each other in the last match of Pool B today, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, both hoping they can clinch a win over the
other to keep the chances of moving to the main tournament alive.
However, even a resounding victory would not ensure any of the sides a berth in the next round as the winner will be contesting with the bottom two teams of the Pool A to progress.
Comparing the performance of Foxes and Rhinos against a common opposition from the Caribbean, one finds the latter in a stronger position than the English unit. The Lankans had done reasonably well with the bat making a strong comeback in the match after
going three down for just 26, the wicketkeeper batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/LD-Chandimal-c1831 took the charge, steering the side to a respectable total of 138.
Their bowling was also much better as they utilized the spin-friendly conditions well to put Trinidad and Tobago batsmen under pressure, before Sherwin Ganga’s whirlwind 39 off just 15 deliveries took the game away from the Islanders.
The Foxes on the other hand, do not have good memories of the opening clash against the Caribbean side in which the county side faced a devastating 51-run defeat. The Leicestershire attack was complehttp://www.senore.com/Cricket/LMP-Simmons-c1843
and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AB-Barath-c886 as the duo shared an opening stand of 139 runs before Gurney removed both the batsmen on successive deliveries of the 18th over.
Leicestershire’s batting in the chase was even worse as 8 of their batsmen fell for single digit scores, including four ducks. Only James Taylor showed some resistance against the Caribbean squad, scoring an unbeaten 56.
The Rhinos will have their hopes attached with Chandimal in Wednesday’s game. Also they will hope their big gun, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ST-Jayasuriya-c2567, to come good.
While http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Matthew-Hoggard-c1926, will be looking forward to utilize all the T20 experience in his squad to put a halt on Jayasuriya-led Lankan batting line-up.
Nothing less than a resounding win over Ruhuna will leave the foxes with any chance of progressing to the Group Stage of the multi-million tournament.
Squads:
Leicestershire: Matthew Hoggard(c), http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Matthew-Boyce-c1924
Ruhuna: http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Karunanayake-Pathiranalage-Shalika-Piyamal-Karunanayake-c70358, Sanath
Jayasuriya, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mathurage-Don-Kushal-Janith-Perera-c75082
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