MATCH: Kolkata Knight Riders v Somerset
DATE: Wednesday, September 21, 2011
TIME: 2000 hours IST (1430 hours GMT)
VENUE: Uppal in Hyderabad
The Kolkata Knight Riders will look to seal their berth in the main draw of the Champions League T20 2011 as they take on three-time English T20 runner-up, Somerset in the last game of the qualifiers. This is the night game to be played at Hyderabad.
Past Results:
Kolkata Knight Riders (1/2 at
Totesport) had made a winning start to the tournament, but it was not before the Auckland Aces had given them a huge scare in the match. First, an error-filled middle-order batting on a slow track saw Kolkata collapse from 73 without loss to 121 in their 20 overs and then allowed the Aces to get to 60 for one in nine. Fortunately for the Knight Riders, their slow bowlers won it for the side off the last ball of the game.
Somerset (15/8 at
BetFred) also won their first game of the tournament against the same opposition, the Aces and rather remarkably, the result was decided off the last ball of the game. Set to score 126 to win, Somerset suffered from that commonly afflicted mid-overs crisis before a 61-run, sixth wicket partnership saw the side through and wicket-keeper Steve Snell win the man of the match.
Side-effect:
The winner of this, Kolkata versus Somerset game, goes through to the main draw of the Champions League T20. Fortunately for the losing side, they would have a fair idea on what would they need to do even if they lost, in order to make it through to the CLT20.
Team News:
The chances of any team change for Kolkata is remote but it must be added that Jaidev Unadkat had bowled only an over and went for 14. With Laxmipathy Balaji in the ranks, and the track conducive to his brand of bowling, the captain may consider getting him in.
The Knight Riders would also hope for a better display from the middle-order and may want to promote Yusuf Pathan to the number three slot, irrespective of when the first wicket falls.
Somerset may go in with the same 11, but may want to relook at the batting order. While the idea to send in Roelof van der Merwe (5/1 at
Stan James) at three is a good one for the same reason as sending Pathan at one drop, the candidate himself does not cut ice. Van der Merwe is more of a slogger and it could just make more sense for a more authentic aggressor up the order.
Somerset’s bowling looks perfect for the conditions; two experienced pace bowlers and three spinners to stifle the scoring will make it difficult for the opponents.
Who is hot?
Kolkata need someone like Jacques Kallis to bat through the innings, with the other hard-hitting bats around him. Somerset will hope for an encore from James Hildreth (5/1 at
Stan James), who rarely lost his cool in his match-winning, 34-ball 34.
Prediction:
Kolkata should win another tight contest, going down to the last over.
