Sussex hold aces in survival clash
Start time:
October 13, 14.30 GMT
This could be the most unglamorous game in the tournament as neither team has any famous name in its ranks - Sussex allrounders Luke Wright and Dwayne Smith being the only one with some international pedigree. But even Wright, who arrived only a day ago, is yet to recover completely from the virus he picked up during the ICC Champions Trophy and playing him may be a gamble. Sussex would hope that their captain Michael Yardy recovers from the severe stomach cramps that forced him to watch the defeat against New South Wales on Sunday from the dressing room.
Still the Twenty20 Cup winners could count themselves as favourites in this crucial clash - the winners advance to the next round - based on the Eagles' toothless display in their 53-run loss against group leaders New South Wales in their first game. Another boost for the English champions came from the New South Wales' captain Simon Katich who picked them as a favourite when asked for his prediction for tomorrow's game. Compared to the Sussex batsmen, who at least got starts, none of the Eagles' batsmen, barring Ryan McLaren, got a look-in on the low pitch.
Watch out for:
Dwayne Smith v Thandi Tshabalala: Smith had blasted a 26-ball half-century to help Sussex lift their first Twenty20 Cup and could be a dangerous proposition for the rookie Tshabalala, who already got stick after being wayward the other day against the Australian youngster Moises Henriques, who thrashed him for 15 runs in five balls.
Riley Rossouw v Yasir Arafat: Rossouw turned 20 last week and is one for the future for South Africa. The left-hander goes for his shots and he could have an interesting tussle with Arafat, a skiddy customer who maintains a wicket-to-wicket line.
Ryan McLaren v Piyush Chawla: McLaren, though an unorthodox batsman, is not shy to step out as he did against in the very first over of the New South Wales legspinner Steve Smith, thumping a six and four. Chawla had recently said that he would attack the batsmen even at the expense of going for runs so this contest could get engrossing if players stick to their guns.