South Africa is preparing for a Twenty20 invasion when the Champions League cricket spectacular kicks off in Johannesburg this Friday, with a match between Mumbai Indians and local outfit the Highveld Lions.
Mumbai, who have already arrived in SA and captained by Sachin Tendulkar, must be one of the favourites to lift the title as they will have the services of Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo. Bouyed by the inclusion of ‘Slinga Malinga’ they will face stiff competition to top their Group B from Bangalore Royal Challengers.
The 10 teams who are vying for total prize money of R17 million (SA Rands) are split into two groups – A and B. The Lions, representing one of two teams (the other Chevrolet Warriors) from South Africa, have three of their four matches at their home, the Wanderers, but are in a tough draw. They will find the going hard in their first match against the boys from Mumbai.
The other SA representative the Warriors, from the Eastern Cape, have dominated the one-day game in their country’s premier competition, winning both the 40-over and 20-over titles last season. They will play all their group games at their home base, St George’s Park and their knowledge of local conditions will hold them in good stead. The team was dealt a major blow when Jacques Kallis, opted to play for Bangalore in the competition.
But this team should not be underestimated; they have wiley campaigners in spinner Johan Botha, Proteas batsmen, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher and a young upstart, Colin Ingram who has set the local scene alight with some brilliant innings’. They have not won two competitions for nothing against the top sides. They kick off their programme against the Wayamba Elevens of Sri Lanka this Saturday.
The Wayamba Elevens are still an unknown quantity, but early predictions are that they will make up the numbers. However Zimbabwe cricket itself is experience somewhat of a resurgence, with ex-players such as Heath Streak at the forefront again, and Mark Butcher leading the way.
Victoria Bushrangers from Australia are the only team to have qualified for the all three editions of the Champs league, and are the most consistent performers in the championship. They’re a very accomplished side led by David Hussey, and with players like Dirk Nannes, Peter Siddle, Andrew McDonald, Brad Hodge to add to their bow. Watch out for their September 13 match against the Warriors. It should be a cracker, though the Aussies may be just a bit too wiley for the local team.
South Asutralian Redbacks are weakened by the loss of Kieron Pollard and Shahid Afridi. But watch out for Callum Ferguson and quick Shaun Tait. Bangalore have spent huge money on players like Jacque Kallis and Ross Taylor to play for them. The team bombed out in the Group stages last year and will be looking to improve with all the stars at their disposal at this tournament.
On paper the Chennai Super Kings are probably one of the strongest sides here as well as in the IPL, but failed to qualify for last season’s champions tournament. With players like Matthew Hayden, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and all-rounder Albie Morkel, as well as Mike Hussey, Raina and coach Stephen Fleming in their squad, it’s hard not make them a sure bet for the semi-finals. Chennai play their first match against Central Stags of New Zealand in Durban on Saturday.
Matches will be played in Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg, Durban, and Pretoria.
The semi-finals are shared between Durban and Centurion on 24 and 25 September respectively, while the final takes place on September 26 at the Wanderers. It promises to be 17 days of star-studded Twenty20 fireworks that may yet prove to be even bigger than the IPL in terms of entertainment.
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