Champions League T20 2010

[eddiesmith]

They have now announced the format and groups for the upcoming Champions League in South Africa, instead of 4 groups like last year it will be just 10 teams and 2 groups of 5 with the top 2 making the semi finals

Group A
Victoria- Australian Big Bash Champions
Chennai Super Kings- IPL Champions
Wayamba- Sri Lanka Domestic T20 Champions
Central Districts- New Zealand Domestic T20 Champions
Warriors- South Africas Pro Series Champions

Group B
South Australia- Big Bash runners up
Mumbai Indians- IPL Runners up
Bangalore Royal Challengers- 3rd placed IPL side
Lions- South Africas Pro Series runners up
Guyana- West Indies domestic champions

http://www.cricinfo.com/t20champions2010/content/story/465152.html

Fixture
http://www.cricinfo.com/t20champions2010/content/series/456281.html?template=fixtures

Most Important fixtures
Sunday September 12- 21:00 CST South Australia v Lions
Tuesday September 14- 1:30 EST Victoria v Warriors
Wednesday September 15- 1:00 CST South Australia v Mumbai Indians
Wednesday September 15- 21:30 EST Victoria v Central Districts
Saturday September 18- 1:00 CST South Australia v Royal Challengers Bangalore
Sunday September 19- 1:30 EST Victoria v Chennai Super Kings
Tuesday September 21- 1:30 EST Victoria v Wayamba
Tuesday September 21- 21:00 CST South Australia v Guyana

Despite the different format its the same amount of matches, probably a better idea for T20 to have a longer group stage as it allows the best teams to perform to their best

Very interesting groups though, not sure how they decided on them

Not sure how South African pitches will play so early in the season, but hopefully they are up to the usual standard and it should be a better spectacle and see some better games than in India

Squads

DEC Victorian Bushrangers 15-man squad:
David Hussey (C), Ryan Carters, Aaron Finch, Shane Harwood, John Hastings, Brad Hodge, Andrew McDonald, Bryce McGain, Clint McKay, Glenn Maxwell, Dirk Nannes, James Pattinson, Rob Quiney, Peter Siddle, Matthew Wade

South Australian Redbacks
Cullen Bailey, Daniel Harris, Graham Manou, Daniel Christian, Gary Putland, Peter George, Callum Ferguson, Michael Klinger, Jake Haberfield, Tim Ludeman, Shaun Tait, Tom Cooper, Chris Duval, Cameron Borgas and Aaron O’Brien.

Chennai Super Kings: MS Dhoni, S Badrinath, M Vijay, Suresh Raina, R Ashwin, Shadab Jakati, A Srikkanth, L Balaji, Muttiah Muralitharan, Michael Hussey, Doug Bollinger, Thilan Thushara, Albie Morkel, Matthew Hayden, Joginder Sharma.

Warriors: Davy Jacobs, Ashwell Prince, Colin Ingram, Mark Boucher, Johan Botha, Nicky Boje, Craig Thyssen, Juan Theron, Makhaya Ntini, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Justin Kreusch, Garnett Kruger, Arno Jacobs, Lyall Meyer, Jon Jon Smuts.

Wayamba: Jehan Mubarak, Mahela Udawatte, Mahela Jayawardene, Jeevantha Kulatunga, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Kushal Janith Perera, Rangana Herath, Chanaka Welegedara, Ajantha Mendis, Farveez Maharoof, Thissara Perera, Damitha Hunukumbura, Shalika Karunanayake, Isuru Udana, Sameera Zoysa.

Central Districts: Adam Milne, Bevan Griggs, Brad Patton, Brendon Diamanti, Doug Bracewell, George Worker, Jacob Oram, Jamie How, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Matthew Sinclair, Michael Mason, Mitchell McClenaghan, Peter Ingram, Seth Rance, Tim Weston.

Mumbai Indians: Shikhar Dhawan, Sachin Tendulkar, Ambati Rayudu, Saurabh Tiwary, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, R Sathish, Ali Murtaza, Dhawal Kulkarni, Aditya Tare, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, JP Duminy, Lasith Malinga, Ryan McLaren.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey, Praveen Kumar, R Vinay Kumar, Virat Kohli, Cameron White, Ross Taylor, Dale Steyn, Jacques Kallis, Dillon du Preez, B Akhil, Abhimanyu Mithun, Nayan Doshi.

Guyana: Ramnaresh Sarwan, Royston Crandon, Lennox Crush, Travis Dowlin, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Narsingh Deonarine, Jonathan Foo, Derwin Christian, Christopher Barnwell, Esuan Crandon, Devendra Bishoo, Assad Fudadin, Paul Wintz, Steven Jacobs, Richard Ramdeen.

Lions: Alviro Peterson, Thami Tsolekile, Craig Alexander, Shane Burger, Richard Cameron, Werner Coetsee, Cliffe Deacon, Zander de Bruyn, Robert Frylinck, Neil McKenzie, Ethan O'Rielly, Aaron Phangiso, Jean Symes, Jonathan Vandiar, Vaughn van Jaarsveld

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Wow really lame that the previous winners don't automatically qualify.

[Bingle_21]

Find it weird that they have all the champions/winners (Except WI) in one group and the 2nd/3rd teams in the other.

[andrew23]

Is this going to be on One HD ?

[Freo Big Fella]

Why no English sides?

[eddiesmith]

Because it is earlier in the year their domestic season is still running so it was too difficult to send 2 teams who are unknown untill close to the tournament anyway

[Alpha1]

Should be interesting some good teams in there, should be some very good games.

[magic_johnson!]

Why the hell is one group winners and one group losers?????

[ubolt]

so you can have the winner of the losers and the winner of the winners playing off with each other come finals time.

[magic_johnson!]

so you can have the winner of the losers and the winner of the winners playing off with each other come finals time.
But surly second of the winners would be better than the winners of the losers :confused:

[Phone]

Royal Challengers Bangalore have expressed their desire to retain Jacques Kallis, Ross Taylor and Cameron White for the Champions League Twenty20 in South Africa in September. The home teams of the three players - Warriors, Central Districts and Victoria respectively - have also qualified for the tournament, and Bangalore will now have to pay those teams US$200,000 each according to the tournament's rules to keep the players.

text

[magic_johnson!]

Get your hands OFF!

[alfy!]

$200k is pretty good for the Vics tho :).

[magic_johnson!]

If it means losing the comp and the $2.5m Us prize money...

[eddiesmith]

So they barely give him a game for the entire tournament history and now want him for the Champions League? Bit like Delhi and Collingwood last year, its a joke, hopefully White tells them he is sticking with his home side that he captains and actually wants him

Hate to tell them but taking White away from Victoria wont stop Victoria beating them :D

[GoDoggies]

Isn't it up to the player in the end? White delayed his start to the IPL and a large portion of his money to play in the Sheffield Shield final so I can't see him picking Bangalore over Victoria. He also played with the Vics in the last champions instead of Bangalore.

[eddiesmith]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/bushrangers-wait-on-key-pair-cameron-white-and-andrew-mcdonald/story-e6frf9if-1225901065731

VICTORIA has a nervous wait before knowing if captain Cameron White and deputy Andrew McDonald will be available for the rich Champions League tournament in South Africa next month.

White is at the mercy of his IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore, which has also qualified for the $5 million 10-team Twenty20 series, and McDonald is on his way home from English County duties after suffering another shoulder injury.

Under his hefty contract terms, White must play for the Royal Challengers if they require him.

Negotiations are underway to try to win a release so he can lead the Bushrangers when hostilities begin on September 10.

"We'll just have to wait and see. We just don't know yet,'' Victorian coach Greg Shipperd said


Its a bit of a joke, they dont really play him that often during the IPL, just trying to steal him away from a competitor

McDonald has also apparently had some minor shoulder surgery

[GoDoggies]

Just announced that Cameron White will play for Bangalore insted and Vics and Hussey will be captain. Big loss its gonna be hard to win it now

[eddiesmith]

These IPL contracts are pathetic

Although I do wonder if the rule alluded to before the original attempt exists that says if you lose a player you can bring in someone from outside your squad?

[Doodlesweaver]

These IPL contracts are pathetic

Although I do wonder if the rule alluded to before the original attempt exists that says if you lose a player you can bring in someone from outside your squad?

I would think that an IPL team would have to play a player that they have taken from another qualified team. They'll run that sort of contract insert aground if they don't.

[fanatic1980]

Final Redbacks Squad for Champions League

South Australian Redbacks
Cullen Bailey, Daniel Harris, Graham Manou, Daniel Christian, Gary Putland, Peter George, Callum Ferguson, Michael Klinger, Jake Haberfield, Tim Ludeman, Shaun Tait, Tom Cooper, Chris Duval, Cameron Borgas and Aaron O’Brien.

[eddiesmith]

I would think that an IPL team would have to play a player that they have taken from another qualified team. They'll run that sort of contract insert aground if they don't.
For some reason I keep thinking of Australia v Australia A from many years ago

But you would think they would actually want someone who they are paying good money for to the host side, but its strange seeing as they dont play him in the IPL

Victorian squad announced, alot of players coming back from injury but no Darren Pattinson :(

DEC Victorian Bushrangers 15-man squad:
Aaron Finch, Brad Hodge, David Hussey (C), Rob Quiney, Matthew Wade, Andrew McDonald, Glenn Maxwell, John Hastings, James Pattinson, Clint McKay, Shane Harwood, Peter Siddle, Bryce McGain, Dirk Nannes, Ryan Carters

Very light on batting

[Russian]

seeing as they dont play him in the IPLthere's a cap on international players in the IPL, they can play as many as they like in the Champions League

[eddiesmith]

there's a cap on international players in the IPL, they can play as many as they like in the Champions League
Can they? Because I remember last year none of them played more than 4 at a time and i thought somewhere it was mentioned they were bound by the same rules as the IPL, seemed a bit odd but..

Fox Sports News are reporting that Cameron White jumped ship and abandoned his home state to represent Bangalore who have been bolstered by all their internationals making the same choice. They also added on that South Australia is sending a much weakened squad that what they had during the Big Bash. Such positivity from Fox Sports, they must be upset that the reigning champions dont get automatic inclusion

[Doodlesweaver]

Can they? Because I remember last year none of them played more than 4 at a time and i thought somewhere it was mentioned they were bound by the same rules as the IPL, seemed a bit odd but..

Fox Sports News are reporting that Cameron White jumped ship and abandoned his home state to represent Bangalore who have been bolstered by all their internationals making the same choice. They also added on that South Australia is sending a much weakened squad that what they had during the Big Bash. Such positivity from Fox Sports, they must be upset that the reigning champions dont get automatic inclusion

Daniel Brettig writes that sort of windup stuff a lot. White doesn't have a choice in it, unless he wants to be seen as a contract breaker. Victoria have agreed to play in the Champions League and it is set up to benefit the IPL teams as regards players above the regional teams. Bangalore better bloody well play him though.

I really enjoyed last year's Champion's League. I still think the Blues fielding over the tournament was about the best I have ever seen from any single team in a comp.

[Cousin Jed]

They also added on that South Australia is sending a much weakened squad that what they had during the Big Bash.

They are.

[eddiesmith]

Daniel Brettig writes that sort of windup stuff a lot. White doesn't have a choice in it, unless he wants to be seen as a contract breaker. Victoria have agreed to play in the Champions League and it is set up to benefit the IPL teams as regards players above the regional teams. Bangalore better bloody well play him though.

I really enjoyed last year's Champion's League. I still think the Blues fielding over the tournament was about the best I have ever seen from any single team in a comp.
Last year was good, I am looking forward though to it being played in South Africa, although I'm not sure how their pitches and conditions play so early in the season

The contracts are tough and obviously with another contract due its not the time to be reneging on them and he obviously cant pull Collingwoods trick of last year where he just happened to get injured in his last match for England before the Champions League after he tried to get out of his contract

[whats_at_stake]

No thread on this yet.

Champion League starts tomorrow (Saturday morning game Australian time).

I presume all games will be live on One- there are two time slots- the 9:30pm and 1:30am games AEST.

Not sure if I will follow it too much- will keep up to date with the scores and probably watch a few games and the finals.

This years edition is in South Africa so pace bowlers will get a lot of assistance. I like this rotational policy- hopefully Australia gets to host it soon.

Below is a link with some of the players to watch out for

http://www.cricinfo.com/t20champions2010/content/story/476203.html

[ManWithNoName]

Twenty20 is shit and boring. And tournaments like this are pointless and soul less.

All I have to say on the matter. Carry on with your "cricket".

[alfy!]

There was a thread on this.

This has crept up on me, awesome news.

[whats_at_stake]

Twenty20 is shit and boring. And tournaments like this are pointless and soul less.

All I have to say on the matter. Carry on with your "cricket".

Agree with Twenty20- too much being played. This however is a pretty good domestic tournament.

My ideal scenario would be more multi-nation ODI series played and more Test series with a Test Championship with some Twenty20 played as well.

Something like in terms of big large tournaments

Year 1: Twenty 20 cup
Year 2: ODI Champions trophy
Year 3: Twenty20 cup
Year 4: ODI world cup

All this with a Test championship which concludes every two years.

[ManWithNoName]

This is the tournament where Cam White (and somebody else) can't play for Victoria because some prick in India says so right?

When a player can't play for his state/country because of contracts and money, the tournament loses all legitimacy.

The game of T20 is boring in itself. Every game one of three things happen:

Side 1 bats first, Side 2 romps it in
Side 1 bats first, Side 2 loses a few early wickets and gets belted
Side 1 bats first, Side 2 goes along at roughly the same pace and luck has the final say

There's no time to lose and regain form. No time for individual contests to develop. It's like A1 Grand Prix compared to Formula 1. Great idea in theory, boring as batshit in practice

[ubolt]

i actually enjoy this tournament, 1000 times better than the IPL

i know it's an "IPL Concept" tournament, but they need to stop the power of the IPL teams, you should always be able to play for your first class team over any other team you have signed up for.

Not all the games will be live on OneHD, but they will all be shown on OneHD either live or on delay of sorts.

With the mighty redbacks playing, i'll be having a few late nights. Although i don't like our chances at all, i'll be up watching them.

[StFly]

This is the tournament where Cam White (and somebody else) can't play for Victoria because some prick in India says so right?

Yes, similar to the previous effort in which Dirk played for Delhi instead of Victoria was well, since the RCB "qualified" they pretty much poach any player with a contract with them, which involves White this time around. I dislike it for the most part because as you say, it's treating contracts over country in a tournament where the best teams of the T20 circuit in each country are to square off, should be players choice as opposed to a big wig decision from the get go as it just cheapens the intent.

I don't mind it as much given the timezone, gets a fair chunk of cricket in before sleep. :p

[alfy!]

Who can not like watching Cricket at night, or FTA TV, in winter?

[whats_at_stake]

I actually thought players could decide which team to play for. White may be doing it because his IPL contract expires this year and he wants a new one. Victoria is getting 200k which they might prefer anyway? Could someone please to clarify?

[Cleavy]

Who can not like watching Cricket at night, or FTA TV, in winter?

spring?

[alfy!]

spring?
tell that to the weather :(

[eddiesmith]

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=725533

Anyway...looking forward to Bangalores first game where we can see Cameron White sitting on the sidelines

I see cricinfo confirms that the IPL sides are limited to 4 internationals which means Victoria miss out on another player who will watch from the sidelines as well with Bravo not good enough for Mumbai

Looking forward to the IPL sides still all failing despite their overload of Internationals in their squads and hopefully being in far better conditions the Victorians can go all the way this time

[whats_at_stake]

Mumbai Indians go down by 9 runs last night. No suprise to see only the players with international experience do well in South African conditions.

[StFly]

Was a great match to watch everyone harp on about Mumbai and those unknown local blokes pull off a win, could have been worse for Mumbai if a few catches stuck since I think Sachin was dropped rather early on.

[eddiesmith]

Was a great result for cricket, had to laugh at the cricinfo commentary before the match talking up how great Mumbai is with all their stars and the Lions have no one

[Jimpson]

Was a fantastic start to the tournament, IPL/CL seems to always have a fantastic opener to get everyone excited about whats ahead. McCullum hit 150 in IPL1 opener, last over finishes for the opener in the last couple of tournaments too.

Vandier, McKenzie were great and Sachin was sublime with his timing. I was really impressed by O'Reilly, had Sachin out LBW first ball but no luck.

Not sure what Sachin/Mumbai were doing with their line-up. They drop Bravo for McLaren and have him bowl only one over.

Teams of champions (IPL teams) just dont work, you could see the excitement on the Lions' faces when they got wickets. They were pumped. Playing with your proper teammates, to represent your state/provence, gives teams an extra 50% that allows these relative unknowns (i had only heard of McKenzie and Petersen before tonight) to not only compete with the guns, but will beat them more often than not.

[Cooldude]

Mumbai is a one man team, if Sachin doesn't bat through an innings, they can never chase targets down.

[alfy!]

Haydos starts his campaign with a first baller. Damn.

Good figures for Bollinger. Easy win for Chennai.

[Doodlesweaver]

Haydos starts his campaign with a first baller. Damn.

Good figures for Bollinger. Easy win for Chennai.

Lovely line from cricinfo commentary. As it was just what I thought about the ball to Albie Morkel. Talk about asking for it.

'McClenaghan to Morkel, SIX, the sin, the sin! Length ball, on the pads,'

Haydos' bucket-mitts still operating as they should despite his incapability with the bat. Really good catches from him at first slip.

[whats_at_stake]

No live coverage again- is anyone actually in to Formula 1? Guess it must be popular.

[TheStinger]

I didn't even know this was on until I saw the redbacks would be on after the F1's. Were we able to get our imports back or do we have Tait and no hope after him?

[Jimpson]

No live coverage again- is anyone actually in to Formula 1? Guess it must be popular.

F1 is the most watched program on ONE so its gets priority

I didn't even know this was on until I saw the redbacks would be on after the F1's. Were we able to get our imports back or do we have Tait and no hope after him?

The No Hopers. Pollard is playing for Mumbai and Afridi is in England. Klinger and Ferguson are making a good fist of it but will need Tait to make early inroads with not much bowling after him.

[eddiesmith]

I think Michael Klinger will be a better player than Pollard anyway, on fire here and I cant remember but did he even play at all in the Big Bash?

[Power21]

Klinger and Pollard are basiclly new recruits, and arguably bettr than our imports anyway.

[Doodlesweaver]

Klinger and Pollard are basiclly new recruits, and arguably bettr than our imports anyway.

The Redbacks bowling has been absolute filth so far.

[Doodlesweaver]

The Redbacks bowling has been absolute filth so far.

I hope Bailey doesn't get another over. That was the way Mitchell Johnson would bowl if he was a leggie. Ugh!

[TheStinger]

Need to get Petersen out.

[Doodlesweaver]

Need to get Petersen out.

Got him.

[TheStinger]

They are rocking along but we are taking wickets. Will be close.

[roostersgal4eva]

They are rocking along but we are taking wickets. Will be close.
Taity takes another wicket 7/134

He is a mystery wrapped in an enigma

[Doodlesweaver]

Taity takes another wicket 7/134

He is a mystery wrapped in an enigma

Kept bowling short when he is really devastating with yorkers. Don't get that bloke at all.

Also really impressed with Manou's committment. I know he dropped a catch off Putland I think it was but he gets his body in the way of the difficult to take ball behind the stumps all the time.

[roostersgal4eva]

Kept bowling short when he is really devastating with yorkers. Don't get that bloke at all.
problem with being blinding quick is that batsman dont have to hit that hard against him for it to fly to or over the boundary

[roostersgal4eva]

problem with being blinding quick is that batsman dont have to hit that hard against him for it to fly to or over the boundary
Nice win from the boys :D

Bowlers were rusty but managed to get wickets regually which is good sign

Ferg looking better all the time and Klinger the star again

[roostersgal4eva]

Nice win from the boys :D

Bowlers were rusty but managed to get wickets regually which is good sign

Ferg looking better all the time and Klinger the star again

[StFly]

Kept bowling short when he is really devastating with yorkers. Don't get that bloke at all.

Baffling decision that, for the right handers at one end the boundaries were only something like 55m long, given Taits express pace surely you wouldn't be telling him to bang it in short so that the batsmen can get a top edge and watch it sail away for 6. Either needed to be back of a length and promote the edges or at the blockhole, since the only bouncer that is really causing issues is the slower bouncer, Taits ultimately lucky he got "junk" towards the end of the Lions innings to flatter his figures, definitely wasn't as intelligent bowling by him.

Regardless though, I liked how Klinger paced his innings, was looking like a rather low score and a struggle to 150, but that partnership with Ferg just took the game away from the Lions, especially when Klinger then tonked a few 6's.

Vics up tonight, hopefully play the pitch better than Wayamba did.

[magic_johnson!]

Vics play 1:30am tonight yeah? MJ has tomorrow off :D Score!

[eddiesmith]

Looking forward to it, of course the Champions League is a complete unknown really, unlike the Big Bash games where you expect victory every game

This could be the preview of the final, they are the 2 best sides in the competition, but a win here is vital to setting up a semi final spot easily, lose this and they probably set up a must win against Chennai for the 2nd spot as Wayamba and Central Districts should be easy wins

Victorian XI with no spinners and Peter Siddle having to wait for his return
Hodge, Finch, Quiney, Dussey, McDonald, Wade, Maxwell, Hastings, McKay, Harwood, Nannes

Siddle, McGain, Carters and Patto Jnr miss out

As said before the tournament they really are a batsman short

[Jimpson]

Looking forward to it, of course the Champions League is a complete unknown really, unlike the Big Bash games where you expect victory every game

This could be the preview of the final, they are the 2 best sides in the competition, but a win here is vital to setting up a semi final spot easily, lose this and they probably set up a must win against Chennai for the 2nd spot as Wayamba and Central Districts should be easy wins

Victorian XI with no spinners and Peter Siddle having to wait for his return
Hodge, Finch, Quiney, Dussey, McDonald, Wade, Maxwell, Hastings, McKay, Harwood, Nannes

Siddle, McGain, Carters and Patto Jnr miss out

As said before the tournament they really are a batsman short

I love that team. Minimum semi finals but really they should go close to winning it, even without White. Hodge can fire down some quick darts if necessary.

Maxwell is the only unknown, profile says he's an allrounder but yet to prove at state level he can bowl or bat. Offbreak so might get a chance along with Hodge if the quicks aren't getting the job done.

[Special88]

Good luck to Maxi, close friend glad to see him getting his chance! For those who dont know hes an explosive batsman who bowls decent offies and he would be close to the best fieldsman in the state.

[eddiesmith]

Not a good start by our bowlers or gun fielder either just then

[nicko99]

54-0 after 5 overs fair to say not the best start. Need a spinner on to slow things down, only option being Hodge or Hussey.

[Jimpson]

Hard to tell if it's poor bowling or brilliant batting, this Jacobs bloke is hitting gaps with ease.

[Jimpson]

That cover drive was incredible, definitely need a change of pace whether that's a spinner or McDonald to bowl some stump-to-stump stuff.

[Special88]

54-0 after 5 overs fair to say not the best start. Need a spinner on to slow things down, only option being Hodge or Hussey.

Maxi is an off spinner.. highly rated too.. just whether or not he is ready for this.. jacobs is a machine.

[nicko99]

Hard to tell if it's poor bowling or brilliant batting, this Jacobs bloke is hitting gaps with ease.

Combination of both, Nannes first over was terrible. Their hasnt been much variation (slower balls etc) apart from Mckay.

[eddiesmith]

Stickers was probably too much of a gamble

[davis_756]

McDonald has got us back into this match

[eddiesmith]

Our specialist fielder might lose his job next game, wonder if Carters can field without gloves?

[Special88]

shit glenn your not making me look good here lol

[Special88]

Our specialist fielder might lose his job next game, wonder if Carters can field without gloves?

Maxi is a better bat than carters

[eddiesmith]

He would want to be a very good bat based on runs lost in the field

But yeah I know he can bat, yet to see it for Victoria though, quite enjoyable watching him one day for FD but I assume Carters must be alright to have been picked as not only reserve keeper but also reserve bat

[Special88]

He would want to be a very good bat based on runs lost in the field

But yeah I know he can bat, yet to see it for Victoria though, quite enjoyable watching him one day for FD but I assume Carters must be alright to have been picked as not only reserve keeper but also reserve bat

come on mate aside from the drop hes done some good work out there.. he keeps a lot of twos to ones by moving quick and good throws.. hes 21 playing his 3rd ever game.. no doubt nervous as shit... will be a very very good player for the vics for years to come.. and im not the one actually hailing him as a gun fieldsman its the view of the coach.. i even read an article quoting him saying that once on glenn.

[eddiesmith]

He also misfielded his first attempt out there at a regulation fielding effort costing another run...But I'm just having some fun here, it would be a very tough initiation for a guy who is quite young and inexperienced

But the Victorians fielding as a whole has been a bit poor tonight, as Quiney said its probably as much adjusting to the lights which they havent played under for a long time

Anyway it didnt prove to be too costly, I do hope that for obvious reasons Maxwell is not required to bat much this tournament, 159 to win, about par for T20 cricket but they have 2 quality spinners so may be tough, but the Warriors themselves chased down a similar score with ease the other night, may miss some of Bravos or Blizzards fine finishing tonight

Really does highlight we are actually lacking a bit for batting depth this season, although in the longer forms we have the likes of Rogers and Hill

[Jimpson]

Mixed bag for Maxwell, did a couple good things, couple of not so good things. Dont think the drop was that costly, Boucher didn't make him pay for it. And i doubt he'd lose his place for it.

After 6 overs it was 0/62 so great turnaround for the Vics, should be a good chase.

[Special88]

Harwood served up a pile of tripe. Ronni and Hastings turned it for us in the middle there.

[davis_756]

Over 10 an over required, unless hussey goes nuts its all over.

[amer]

http://www4.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Cricket+Australia+Headshots+wi31d97AnmRl.jpg




http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/5768/776294-chickenjoe_large.jpg

[Jimpson]

And that's the ball game, never really got going did the Vics but that's a very strong team the Warriors are fielding and they too should go deep into the tournament. Botha would have to be one of the best t20 players in the world.

[Doodlesweaver]

Both Aus teams bowling looks weak. They'll be lucky to reach the finals.

Kilnger and Ferguson really pulled the Redbacks out of a hole in the game with their partnership yesterday.

Cameron White did a scorching run-out yesterday for RCB. Beautifully balanced running pick up and throw in the covers. The Indian commentator just about wet himself about it.

As did I.

[StFly]

Disappointing effort, you know you'r ein for a rather logn day when your first 3 balls of the inninings include an extra and go for 9 and Stickers never really got into the match, inherently threw off the bowling dynamic that people needed otbe bowled out sooner, Ronnie and Hastings did alright for mine, Dirk had that atrocious 1st over that went for 17 but recovered to be servicable.

Batsmen never looked like getting anywhere near that total though, and I would have ultimately hoped Blizz could have been in the squad, cause Bobs quite hit and miss these days and in Sotuh Africa that can pretty much make the game on an already fragile middle order. 5 wickets for 7 runs is just atrocious from a middle to lower order.

[eddiesmith]

Just stupid batting by alot of players like Quiney, Wade, Maxwell and probably a couple of others

Hodge and Finch very unlucky, Dusseys dismissal I could see it coming with them probably feeling they needed a boundary off the last ball although they atleast had 8 off that over

Victoria needs to learn how to win a toss, I am sure we went the entire Champions League last year never winning one, only won 1 or 2 in the Big Bash, atleast being a day game on Wednesday against lowly opposition it wont make any difference, now it probably comes down to having to beat Chennai for 2nd spot, the good news is 1st or 2nd doesnt matter as Group B is very weak

[Romeo]

We missed White but they had Kallis and Parnell out.

[alfy!]

I thought there was supposed to be an early game each night?

[whats_at_stake]

I still have no idea why all the winners were grouped together in one group and the losers in the other.

[whats_at_stake]

I thought there was supposed to be an early game each night?

Not every night- probably only weekends and stuff for crowds. There is one on tomorrow though.

[eddiesmith]

I still have no idea why all the winners were grouped together in one group and the losers in the other.
Atleast 1 positive is that it means that Victoria and the Warriors cannot meet in the Semi finals

I know last year they showed seedings that had the IPL runners up and 3rd placed side ranked higher than every other team except the 1st IPL side and NSW

But this year doesnt seem to have any obvious seedings

[Jimpson]

Klinger seems to have the same mindset as Ponting in regards to Tait: 2 overs at the start, 2 overs at the end. Tiwary and Pollard are making mince meat of the spinners and slow bowlers but he still keeps Tait standing in the outfield.

[Jimpson]

And what do you know? he brings back Tait and he gets him out first ball.

[Doodlesweaver]

And what do you know? he brings back Tait and he gets him out first ball.

Then proceeded to try and bounce the West Indian players. The first game taught him nothing. You would hope that Pollard hitting him way, way out of the ground will teach him about the usefulness of yorkers vis-a-vis his numbskull fast bowlers urge to bounce people out.

[Jimpson]

Cooper you beauty!

[Jimpson]

What a game and what a performance from the Redbacks! Just about guaranteed of a semi final now :thumbsu:

[Doodlesweaver]

What a game and what a performance from the Redbacks! Just about guaranteed of a semi final now :thumbsu:

Great batting at the end by the Redbacks, they just kept swinging and middling it. Cooper is garnering himself a nice little IPL contract, isn't he?

I can't believe Sachin lef Bhaji have the last over. Madness.

Having Pollard belted for 16 runs off his over obviously spooked him from using him again. But bowling spin in the last over of a 20/20 is really effing brave.

[Jimpson]

Great batting at the end by the Redbacks, they just kept swinging and middling it. Cooper is garnering himself a nice little IPL contract, isn't he?

I can't believe Sachin lef Bhaji have the last over. Madness.

Having Pollard belted for 16 runs off his over obviously spooked him from using him again. But bowling spin in the last over of a 20/20 is really effing brave.

Didnt think Cooper had it in him. The last time i saw him bat (and by saw i mean read on cricinfo) he crawled to a 100 in a ODI against Afghanistan off about 150 deliveries

I guess Sachin took the gamble of bowling Malinga earlier hoping he'd do enough damage to finish SA off but your right, it's never a good idea to have a spinner bowl the last over. I can't recall the ploy ever working but I can remember Warney hitting Symonds for about 17 off the last over in an IPL match, and Hussey hitting Ajmal for something similiar in the t20wc, both causing losses for the bowling team.

Mumbai lost it with their fielding, plain and simple. The IPL is getting a name for itself as having some very ordinary fielding.