Whichever way you look at it, the Twenty20 Champions League currently on the go in South Africa has demonstrated that the smash-and-grab version of the game is here to stay, for the time being at least.
It may not appeal to the purists, but with the youngsters flocking in their droves to watch the matches, the ICC and all its affiliates, know they have tapped into an important market.
With about two to three million US dollars up for grabs, there’s extra motivation to want to win it. The Royal Challengers Bangalore play Indian rivals Chennai Super Kings at Durban’s Kingsmead on Friday evening. South Africa hope, the Eastern Cape Warriors, tackle the South Australian Redbacks in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Both Indian franchises qualified by the skin of their teeth. Bangalore won two of their four games, similar to that of the Highveld Lions and the Mumbai Indians, but qualified on a better run rate. The team from Chennai won three of theirs, and tied for first spot with Victoria Bushrangers and Warriors, but ousted the Australians on a better net run rate.
It seems strange, for example, that the high-riding Warriors despite having won three games in a row, until Chennai came along on Wednesday to upset their unbeaten run, were still fighting to stay in the competition until that stage. However, by losing by less than 27 runs that meant that the Warriors pulled through to the semi-finals at the expense of the Bushrangers.
Such is the nature of the beast that the uncertainty probably adds to the excitement of the tournament. Chennai’s loss via a Super Over to Bushrangers in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, is the only blot on their copybook. But they too were staring possible elimination in the face, if they lost to the Warriors on Wednesday.
There are still many permutations as to what Chennai’s final line-up will be for Friday’s semi-final. Mike Hussey came back with a half-century on Wednesday, having replaced Matt Hayden at the top of the order. But it’s time that Suresh Raina and captain MS Dohni come to the party with some big scores to really pile it on. Justin Kemp may make way for Albie Morkel if the former is fit. In the absence of Jacques Kallis, Bangalore will be looking to guys like Ross Taylor and Cameron White to finally show what they are capable of, while Anile Kumble will look to play a role with the ball. Then there’s the likes of Virat Kohli and Rahul Dravid who could liven up proceedings.
Expect a highly-charged crowd in Durban with its huge Indian community, who will pack the stands to the rafters. The Eastern Cape Warriors are having a dream season from last year, having won both the Twenty20 competitions and 40-over limited over finals in South Africa. Now they are just one game away from the lucrative final, and have justified their billing as one of the favourites. Using captain Davy Jacobs up front to open the assault has done wonders for the team. He has hardly disappointed in this role either.
The local newspapers are awash with news that Jacobs will probably snap up a multi-million IPL deal soon. Except for their group loss to Chennai, the Warriors have knocked over the opposition. They have had the advantage of playing all their group games at their St George’s Park cauldron though, with its fanatical support that has given them the necessary impetus. This team is such a close unit under coach Russell Domingo, that they’re not easily initimidated.
This is especially epitomised in having dogged cricketer and Proteas wicketkeeper, Mark Boucher, in their ranks. However, they will need to be at their best away from their home, St Geroge’s,on Saturday against a very talented Redbacks side. Watch out for Michael Klinger, Daniel Harris and the young Callum Ferguson, who can turn any game on its head. It’s sure to prove a Twenty20 feast.
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