 The last game of Group B will have the Sussex Sharks take on the Diamond Eagles
at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi. Both the sides have played one game each against
the New South Wales Blues and lost both the games comfortably. Hence, it has all
boiled down to this game to decide on which team will go through to the next round
of the competition along with the New South Wales Blues, who have not only got
into the second round, but also carried their two points forward.
Click for Live Score Card of Diamond Eagles vs Sussex SharksThe winner of this match will go through to the second round. The team that loses will have to pack their bags and go back home.
The Sussex Sharks were led by Michael Yardy to begin with, but
he pulled out with an illness just before the game. This meant that Ed Joyce
had to lead the side in the game against the New South Wales, and the side went
down rather badly. In this game, Yardy should be back and fit to lead the side,
and this will mean that one of the top order batsmen will have to make way.
In fact, if reports are anything to go, Luke Wright is back in India
after the problems with the illnesses as well and should be an easy shoo into
the game. So the Sussex side will need to make two changes to their line-up.
The bowling had been good, and barring Piyush Chawla, who went for a
huge couple of sixes in the second over he bowled, everyone bowled really well.
With the introduction of Wright in the side, there is a good chance that he
will don the role of the bowler as well and add much value to the side.
For the Eagles, this is a side led by Boeta Dippenaar, and they have
had a rough ride leading up to this tournament. Some may also term their inclusion
in the Champions League T20 as somewhat lucky to say the least, but having
said that, they were also taken in by surprise by the slow and low nature of
the wicket at the Kotla. The batsmen floundered really badly and couldn't do
much against the pace bowling of Brett Lee and Clark. While Sussex does
not possess such pace or accuracy, the Eagles will understand that it will be
foolish to underestimate them. Morne van Wyk will need to bat like he had batted
in one of his first series against India in the ODI format, to allow the Eagles
to get going with the batting.
It is an even battle but if I were to pick out one winner, it would be Sussex
for their balance in batting.
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