Blues, Bushrangers through to Champions League semis
By Greg Buckle, 20 Oct 2009 Greg Buckle is a Roar Pro
NSW paceman Stuart Clark says Blues opening batsman David Warner is an “amazing talent” after his fantastic 40 off 16 balls in the Champions League in India.
Victoria and NSW have ensured Australia is the only nation with two representatives in the semi-finals of the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 cricket tournament, but they face formidable opposition in the two other remaining teams.
NSW booked their place alongside Victoria in the last four of the lucrative tournament with a crushing six-wicket win over English county Somerset in Hyderabad on Sunday.
The Blues restricted Somerset to 7-111 and then knocked off the runs with a massive 8.1 overs to spare.
“He (Warner) came out all guns blazing today,” Clark told Sky Sports Radio.
“He’s not in it for a long time, he’s in it for a good time, definitely,” added Clark, who was man of the match with bowling figures of 3-15.
“He’s just such an amazing talent. He hit the ball to all parts.
“They put fielders where they think he’s going to hit it and he somehow turns around. He just has the most amazing wrist speed through the ball.”
NSW held top spot in League A on run rate for just a few hours before Trinidad & Tobago clinched first place with a 24-run win over South Africa’s Diamond Eagles in the late game of the Hyderabad double-header.
The Blues will contest Wednesday’s semi-final in Delhi against the League B winners and they could mean an all-Australia clash as Victoria currently lead that section.
However, the Bushrangers will drop to second if South Africa’s Cape Cobras defeat Delhi Daredevils on Monday night.
If that happens, Victoria will play Trinidad & Tobago in Thursday’s semi in Hyderabad.
NSW Simon Katich said it was a good fightback from his side following the disappointment of Friday’s loss.
The result represented a disappointing end to the top-level career of Somerset’s Australian former Test opening batsman Justin Langer.
“From that point it’s a bit sad but, having said that, I’ve played for a long time now and, in my heart-of-hearts, I know it’s time to finish,” Langer said.
Trinidad & Tobago and Cape Cobras remain the only undefeated teams in the competition.
Victoria have lost twice and NSW once.
The Blues reduced Somerset to 5-44 in the 10th over.
Four outfield catches and a direct hit runout from mid-on by Warner put the skids under the English county side.
Warner and Phillip Hughes (18 off 22) made the modest target look minuscule as they smashed 56 off the first 28 balls.
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