Uva Next v http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Yorkshire-c867 – Champions League T20 – Match Preview
The qualifying round of the lucrative Champions League T20 commences today, at the New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, which pits inaugural http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 domestic T20 runner’s up.
The tournament has been scrutinized in terms of its scheduling, given the amount of T20, let alone cricket, played in a calendar year. Many International players took part in the recently concluded World T20, and therefore, fatigue, remains its Achilles heel.
While that factor is open for debate, it is often overlooked, largely due to the money floating around. The other area of concern this year has been the event's format. Out of the 10 teams, which will meet in tournament proper, eight have already been decided (4 IPL, 2 Big Bash, 2 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757), while the remaining two slots will be filled after the qualifiers.
Pool 2 kick-starts the event, with Uva Next and Yorkshire taking on each other (the third team being Trinidad & Tobago), in a bid to make the group stages for the first time. Both are making their maiden appearances, the latter could make a last as well after ECB decided to withdraw from the subsequent events, and will be eager to make a significant impact.
Both teams have diverse strengths. The Sri Lankan champions will rely on their foreign players for some flare and representation, whereas the English county will be looking towards the home grown talents to step and get counted.
Uva booked their passage after beating Nagenahira Nagas in the final of the SLPL, but their most inspiring performance came in the semi-finals against Mahela Jayawardene-led Wayamba United.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Eldeniya-Meda-Gedara-Dilshan-Yasika-Munaweera-c55846, who was the highest run-getter in the SLPL and was a part of the national team’s World T20 squad, could be a surprise package.
"We have been playing a lot of domestic tournaments but without foreigners. This is the first time we've had foreign players in our league and it's a very good idea," Kandamby said.
The team played just one-warm game against Hampshire, and won the match by six wickets. Confidence therefore, will be high.
Their opponent’s passage to the CL T20 was booked after their representation in the final of the FLT20, where they were eventually beaten by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Jason-Neil-Gillespie-c66461.
“We've got absolutely nothing to lose from this tournament. No one is expecting a lot from Yorkshire. A lot of teams have got their stars but we are a very strong team and we believe that we can take anyone on."
Their most recognizable players had to put pull out from the event, after Jonny Bairstow picked up a wrist injury and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/David-Lawson-Miller-c53037, who was a consistent run getter in the FL T20 and played a gem of an innings in the final of that tournament. His local knowledge could also hold key.
Other players, expected to stand out include former English pacer http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Andrew-Gale-c1039.
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