Preview by Gokul Gopal
Live Cricket Score - Click Here
Hyderabad, Sep 25: Today's first match between the Warriors and the South Australian Redbacks live from Hyderabad. Revenge will be foremost on the minds of the Australian champions as they look to avenge their 2010 CLT20 semi-final loss to the Warriors.
The South African side, on the other hand, managed to win a nail-biter against Bangalore in their first match and they will be looking to win this encounter today.
Warriors have won the toss and elected to bat
Pitch Report: This pitch has got some red soil with a little bit of clay. There are some cracks around the good length area and there will be some purchase for the spinners. The ball will not come onto the bat. Sunil Gavaskar reckons that the batsmen will have to apply themselves on this track.
The Warriors got their Champions League campaign off to a sensational start with a thrilling last ball victory against the Royal Challengers Bangalore and they would look to build on their impressive beginning when they face the South Australian Redbacks. The Australian side, on the other hand, would not let the Warriors have it easy and they have a quality line-up to challenge the South African team.
Previous encounter: The last time that these two sides faces off was during the semi finals of the 2010 edition of the CL. The Warriors had posted a total of 175/6, powered by a fine 61 by Davy Jacobs (Playing for Mumbai in CL 2011). In reply, the Redbacks could only manage 145/7, despite a fighting 71 by Callum Ferguson.
Warriors: Johan Botha led Warriors managed to upset one of the tournament favourites Bangalore by pulling off a victory in the last ball of the innings, chasing 173 to win. Ashwell Prince was the star performer, scoring an excellent 74 off 55 balls to always keep the Warriors in the game. Skipper Botha then ensured that the game turned in favour of the Warriors by scoring a quick-fire 42 off just 24 balls. While they did manage to chase down a relatively big target, the Warriors do have a few concerns in their batting. Mark Boucher and Justin Kreusch failed to deliver, falling cheaply while the likes of JJ Smuts and Colin Ingram got off to good starts but could not convert them to bigger scores.
Warriors bowling was not up to the mark and if not for quick wickets during the end overs, Bangalore could have reached a much bigger total. However, some appreciation is due for Rusty Theron, who picked up a four wicket haul and kept the run-scoring under check. The likes of Tsotsobe, Parnell and Botha though, erred in their line and length and were taken for a plenty of runs. But they are all experienced campaigners and they would be eager to do well and help the side strengthen their position in the tournament.
South Australian Redbacks: This is the second time that the South Australian team has made it to the Champions League. The Redbacks, who were the semifinalists in the previous edition of the tournament, made it to the CL by beating New South Wales in the Big Bash League. Led by Michael Klinger, the Redbacks side has some quality performers despite not having many international names in the ranks. They do have the experienced Callum Ferguson, who lends a lot of strength to the middle order. At the top, skipper Klinger and Daniel Harris are very much capable of providing quick starts.
Shaun Tait spearheads the bowling attack which also has the talented Daniel Christian and the English import Adil Rashid. The presence of Nathan Lyon, Gary Putland and Aaron O'Brien provides variety to the bowling. Overall, The South Australian Redbacks have a very balanced squad and would look to end up as one of the teams qualifying for the semis.
Teams:
South Australia (Playing XI): Daniel Harris, Michael Klinger(c), Cameron Borgas, Daniel Christian, Callum Ferguson, Tom Cooper, Tim Ludeman(w), Aaron O'Brien, Nathan Lyon, Adil Rashid, Shaun Tait
Warriors (Playing XI): Ashwell Prince, JJ Smuts, Colin Ingram, Mark Boucher(w), Kelly Smuts, Craig Thyssen, Johan Botha(c), Nicky Boje, Wayne Parnell, Juan Theron, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.
Live Cricket Score - Click Here