2011 Champions League T-20: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Somerset

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 at 12:37 pm , filed under News by Forrester Gavin

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The final match of the champion’s league (CLT20) qualifiers pits Kolkata Knight Riders against Somerset, with both sides in pole position to qualify for the group stages. Day and night encounter is going to be on September 21, 2011 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium near Uppal, Hyderabad.With skipper Gautam Gambhir out, the team lacks the spark of an Indian to lead the side. Also with Eoin Morgan out, the lower order looks fragile if the likes of Yusuf Pathan and Jacques Kallis don’t click upfront.

Having gotten themselves a reasonable start, they faulted to some good bowling in their first match and even Kallis admitted to being relieved after winning a tight match. The English outfit will offer a stern test even though themselves, they have many of their big guns missing.The main man for KKR will be Yusuf Pathan. The all-rounder could not deliver with the bat but his tight off breaks helped him grabbed a crucial brace in the middle of the innings, which proved to be the turning point. Overall, one would expect a better performance from the team, looking to book their place for the tougher task ahead.

Disappointed with their Clydesdale Bank 40 loss to Surrey, Somerset ensured that they did not travel just to make up the numbers. A side missing almost all their international contingent, the likes of Craig Kieswetter, Jos Butler and Marcus Trescohtick, they still managed to scrap up a win on the final ball to leave the Auckland side devastated.However, their overseas duo will hold the key; Murali Kartik will know a thing or two about bowling in the sub-continent, therefore will it will be interesting to see him come up against the likes of Pathan and Manoj Tiwary.

Roelof van der Merwe, the South African, has grown into an explosive-all rounder and the team will be banking on his power hitting against Brett Lee and Co.

Tags: CLT20, Kolkata Knight Riders, Kolkata Knight Riders vs Somerset, Somerset