South http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Warriors-c861 – Champions League T20 – Match Preview
The first match of today’s Champions League T20 fixtures sees Warriors against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hyderabad-c792, September 25, 2011.
The tournament is certainly living up to the hype, with thrilling encounters on a daily basis, and one hopes the momentum remains the same when the two domestic sides from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 and Australia collide in a high-voltage encounter.
The Warriors kick started their tournament impressively with an excellent win against one of the pre-tournament favourites, Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, the Indian Premier League dynamites failed to record a victory despite having been in the ascendency
for much of the match.
Despite winning, it has to be said that the Warriors did not perform to their best, as RCB’s captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DL-Vettori-c1384 pointed out that his team’s fielding let them down.
Chasing a daunting target of 173, the only players which impressed were http://www.senore.com/Cricket/J-Botha-c1610. Prince was sublime in his knock of 74, which included 6 fours and 3 sixes. He remained the mainstay of the innings as the Challengers' bowlers kept tumbling
stumps on the other end.
His good work was equally supported by skipper Botha, whose 42 runs in the latter part of the innings were the key to the side achieving a thrilling victory off the final ball of the innings.
However, others will have to step up in the coming matches of the tournament. The main player for the side still remains http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MV-Boucher-c2048, whose experience will be crucial. The 34-year-old earlier spoke of his desire to play for the national side in the limited
overs format, but for that he will have to step up his game with the bat.
The bowling attack, which looks strong on paper, went for quite a tap in the first match, with only Rusty Theron and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Nicky-Boje-c2105 doing a steady job. The spinner was exceptional going just a touch over 6 runs per over.
Their opponents, South Australia, though containing only a handful of International representatives, will offer them a stern test. The Kangaroos' domestic outfit finished on top of their group last term, but were ironically beaten by their current opposition
in the semi-final, so revenge will be on the cards.
Their skipper, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/CJ-Ferguson-c1264, a much renowned figure, whose ability with the bat will come in handy if they are to mount serious
pressure.
In terms of bowling, they possess one of the fastest pace bowlers in world cricket, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Nathan-Michael-Lyon-c78822,
who will look to exploit the slow Indian tracks.
The Hyderabad pitch is expected to remain slow and one which would again assist the bowlers. After the qualifiers, it will be the first match staged on this ground, so both sides would be careful in picking the right deliveries to score off.
So far, the group stages have witnessed high scoring encounters and one would anticipate another close match.
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