T&T; give CL T20 equation a twist
October 3rd, 2011 - 1:45 pm ICT by IANSChennai, Oct 3 (IANS) Far from being party-spoilers, Trinidad and Tobago suddenly find themselves in contention for a semifinal spot in the Nokia Champions League T20 tournament if they beat Nashua Cape Cobras by a big margin in their concluding Group A fixture here on Tuesday.
After two consecutive defeats, Trinidad and Tobago were considered no-hopers, but a dramatic win against defending champions Chennai Super Kings on Sunday gave a different twist to Group A equation that has each of the five teams in with a chance, some theoretical and others genuine.
Having got ahead of the Super Kings in Group standings on a better net run rate, Daren Ganga-led T&T; would be looking to beat Cobras to move up to four points, one more than the South African champions.
Even in such an eventuality, Trinidad and Tobago would then have to await the result of the next game between the Chennai Super Kings (2) and New South Wales Blues (4) to ascertain whether they have to pack their backs or stay on, as also the current Group leaders Mumbai Indians (5) who would be keeping an eye on Tuesday’s games.
The re-laid square at Chepauk has been hogging most of the attention with its two-paced surface that has offered inconsistent bounce. T&T; revelled in these conditions with a bowling attack that centred on spin rather than pace that historically has been the strength of Caribbean teams.
Offie Sunil Narine, only 23 and with just two first class games to his credit since debut in 2009, has emerged as the lynch pin of the TT attack. His three for eight in four overs virtually destroyed the Super Kings and his team would be hoping for a repeat performance against the Cobras.
Having come through the qualifying competition, TT won a legion of sympathizers when they lost a Super Over game to Blues and then nearly defended a total of 98 against Mumbai who eventually won by one wicket.
Thus, TT, the 2009 finalists and without two key players in Kieron Pollard (Mumbai Indians) and Dwayne Bravo (Super Kings), had their hearts set on reversing the trend and they did so on Sunday to give themselves a shot at one of the two semi-final spots from Group A.
The Cobras, led by former Super Kings player Justin Kemp, would be only too aware of TT’s collective potential and the South African champions have as varied a bowling attack that should show greater discipline than it did against the Super Kings in their second game that they lost in the final over.
A No-Result due to rains in their game at Bangalore against Mumbai Indians, perhaps denied the Cobras another point, but had showcased their all-round strength while convincingly defeating the Blues in their opening game. A similar show on Tuesday would most certainly guarantee them a berth in the semi-finals.
– Indo-Asian News service
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- Super Kings fancy themselves against Trinidad & Tobago - Oct 01, 2011
- Must-win game for Chennai Super Kings - Oct 03, 2011
- Depleted Mumbai need to raise bar against Somerset - Oct 07, 2011
- Impressive Mumbai Indians clash with NSW in crucial Group A match - Oct 01, 2011
- T and T, Cobras bank on slow bowlers - Oct 03, 2011
- 2009 champions NSW will look to get things back on track - Sep 27, 2011
- Trinidad and Tobago fancy semi-final chances - Oct 03, 2011
- Trinidad and Tobago still in with a chance: Ramdin - Sep 30, 2011
- This one for the Mahatma - Oct 03, 2011
- T and T beat Cobras in a thriller (Lead) - Oct 04, 2011
- Super Kings crash to shock defeat to Trinidad and Tobago - Oct 03, 2011
- Mumbai recover to beat Trinidad by one wicket - Sep 27, 2011
- Mumbai sweat to beat Trinidad in a thriller - Sep 27, 2011
- Super Kings have their task cut out against Cobras - Sep 27, 2011
- Warner century puts Blues in semis - Oct 05, 2011
Tags: blues 4, class games, cobras, contention, current group, eventuality, four points, group leaders, group standings, hopers, mumbai, narine, new south wales, pollard, repeat performance, s games, south african champions, sympathizers, wicket, won by one