http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Auckland-c766 Aces – Champions League T20 - Match Preview
After winning their respective opening games, Titans and Auckland Aces battle it out in a bid to go top of Group A in the ingoing Champions League T20, with the match scheduled to be played at Kingsmead, Durban, today, October 17, 2012.
The two teams have mainly one thing in common – limited resources. However, their exceptional displays in the early part have put their players under notice and both camps will be eager to cement their hold in a tough group.
Auckland side is bursting with confidence following an impressive run of wins, where they have accounted for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hampshire-c789, in the qualifiers before thumping IPL winners Kolkata Knight Riders in the first game of the tournament proper.
Their victories have been driven by superlative bowling contributions from the experienced seam duo of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lou-Vincent-c73143 and Mahmood again.
The Pakistani freelancer has been in the thick of the action, chipping in with both, bat and ball, for his newest T20 side. He singlehandedly, demolished his countrymen in Sialkot Stallions before orchestrating the demise of KKR in an authoritative manner, and will look to keep his individual form intact.
The fact that the Aces came to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 two weeks prior to the tournament has been a sincere blessing, as the pre-hand familiarity has brought a genuine fluency to their game. However, they rode on individual brilliances so far, and will need to understand that tough tests are bound to follow as the tournament gathers pace.
No changes are necessary to a winning combination but the team will look to the lower-middle order to gear up for the remaining matches.
The Titans also got their campaign off to a winning start after overcoming Perth Scorchers in the opening game. Although the win was convincing, it relied heavily on the century-run stand between openers http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Henry-Davids-c62423, both of whom further scored individual half-centuries.
Rudolph was the more impressive of the two, remaining unbeaten on 83 with the help of 9 fours and 3 sixes. However, the innings tailed away after the opening stand and the team had to settle for a competitive, yet achievable 163. The left-hander’s conventional-styled knock nonetheless, had given his side a perfect platform and enough runs for bowlers to keep an experienced Scorchers’ lineup at bay.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mitchell-Marsh-c1974.
They will also look at their the lower order for some meaningful contributions at the death, and further hope to make full use of the home advantage.
This will be the first game at Durban, following matches at Johannesburg, Centurion and Cape Town. The pitch will offer the usual pace and bounce, but showers are expected to ruin the proceedings. The city has had its fair share of rain over the past 12 hours and more is forecasted. Toss will hold key if the D/L method comes into play.
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