 The second game of the League stage of the Champions League T20 will see
the Eagles take on the Somerset. Both sides go into the game having carried no
points into the second stage and will know that a loss in this game will almost
mean that their chances of getting through to the semi-finals is over.
The Somerset have been hit by a big blow. Marcus Trescothick, who has
had trouble touring countries because of his stress related illness has had
to go back, and that will mean that the side will go into the game without too
much strength in the top-order. Justin Langer will need to make alternate
arrangements, and in all probabilities, Omari Banks will be called up to step
in and do the job.
Click for Live Score Card of Somerset CCC vs Diamond Eagles
However, it must be added that Trescothick hadn't had the best of the times
with the bat. So, even if the new opener would just be able to get going slightly
with the bat for a game or two, he would have done a job.
Zander de Bruyn has looked good in both his innings for the Somerset CCC,
but he may want to go after the bowling a little more given that he bats at
number three and could make appearances in the Powerplay overs. Somerset's issue
would be with their bowling, which is a trifle weak and on wickets that have
assisted a lot of runs, they could face a bit of an issue.
For the Diamond Eagles, this will be the perfect opportunity to epitomise
that they do well when they have their backs to the wall. They had lost the
first game and at one stage, looked to be heading to another loss, when the
batsman hit a four off the last ball to tie the game and take it to the Super
Over. That is where they won it for the side. Riley Rossouw was the star of
the game with a well-compiled 65 and that was supported by CJ de Villiers' fine
spell of bowling that got him two wickets in the game, to be followed by another
two wickets in the Super Over.
The skipper, Boeta Dippenaar, though, hasn't had too much of a batting
role in the tournament so far, as hasn't Morne van Wyk, and both will need to
play well to get their side through to the next round.
To me, the absence of the star opener for Somerset does even things out, but
it will also need adjustment from the Eagles side on a pitch that has been totally
different from that seen in Delhi.
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