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CLT20 2014: Hobart Hurricanes vs Northern Districts Preview

Written by Rick John Henry for @HollywoodbetsFollow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!


Hobart Hurricanes vs Northern Districts | Tuesday 23 September | Raipur | 16:30

Group B begins to take shape with a Trans-Tasman Champions League T20 clash, Australian outfit the Hobart Hurricanes meeting the as yet unbeaten Northern Districts Knights from New Zealand. Following in the footsteps of last year’s Kiwi entry, the Otago Volts, Northern Districts were untroubled in the qualifying group and have managed to harness that momentum into a good start in the competition proper. However, Otago came up short in 2013 on their way to the knockout stage, pipped to a spot in the latter parts of the tournament on run rate by Mumbai Indians. While Northern Districts will be intent on not suffering the same fate as their countrymen, the Hobart Hurricanes will prove a stern test despite a largely average start to the tournament.

To Win
Hobart Hurricanes 11/10
Tie 35/1
Northern Districts 15/20

Hobart Hurricanes
The Big Bash League runners-up opened up their Champions League T20 campaign with defeat, succumbing to the Kings XI Punjab by five wickets in a match that was closer than the scoreline suggests. Despite all of the Hurricanes’ top and middle order squandering starts with the bat – no-one passed 30, with four scores in the 20s – the Australian outfit managed to muster a defendable 144. They came out persistent with the ball and at one stage had the Kings XI 77/5 in pursuit. However, the Hurricanes could not keep their nerve, with Bailey and Perera taking the game away. They were much improved against the Cape Cobras despite their attack conceding 184. Excellent innings from Ben Dunk and Aiden Blizzard saw the Hurricanes cross the line with an over to spare, and although the total was always within reach, the wicket of Blizzard from a Vernon Philander no-ball almost put the victory in jeopardy. Blizzard was recalled, tore into Philander for two fours and two sixes and the rest was history.

The Hurricanes look softest in the bowling department. A slightly over-the-hill opening pair in Doug Bollinger and Ben Hilfenhaus haven’t looked particularly threatening as yet, while spinner Xavier Doherty is disciplined but unremarkable. The Hurricanes will win matches with a power-packed batting line-up. Dunk and Blizzard have already shown their worth, while middle-order batsman Travis Birt packs a similar punch. Shoaib Malik has yet to come to the Champions League T20 party but is a proven performer as the second-highest run-scorer in the most recent Caribbean Premier League. However, all components will need to be at their best to get anything against a well-oiled Northern Districts unit.

Northern Districts
The New Zealand based side exploded through the qualifying group, downing Southern Express, Lahore Lions and Mumbai Indians in the process. Against the Cape Cobras, Northern Districts kept their 100% win record intact with a comprehensive drubbing of the South African side in a rain affected tie. The team can thank an in-form Kane Williamson for their success, the Kiwi international bringing up his maiden T20 century in his last outing. This came on the back of two well played fifties in the qualifying group and Williamson now averages over 40.00 in T20 cricket in 2014 at a strike rate of 137.00. This is made all the more extraordinary by his absence from the format for the entire of last year. Against the Cobras, Williamson and fellow opener Anton Devcich capitalised on some early luck to put on a 140-run stand, while captain Daniel Flynn and BJ Watling have both recorded fifties in the qualifying stage. This information reflects a stable and relentless top order that oozes with confidence.

It is worth noting that Northern Districts have played all four of their matches at Raipur, this upcoming fixture being the fifth in succession. They are now well versed in the behaviour of the pitch and will feel almost at home against any side they face at the ground. While the Northern Districts’ batsmen have generally thrived so far, their fearsome new ball pairing have proved more than a handful. Tim Southee and Trent Boult have the ability to be both economic and incisive. They ripped through the Lahore Lions and tamed the Mumbai Indians, as well as ensuring that the Cobras never got going and, had rain not intervened, would likely have been well short of the mark. Northern Districts still have plenty of work to do in order to go deep in this competition; a win against their Australian counterparts is but the next step.

Venue
As mentioned, Raipur has been a highly successful ground for Northern Districts. They racked up 206 against the Cobras while scuttling both Southern Express and Lahore Lions for less than a hundred. They have been equally successful in chasing and setting targets. No rain is predicted.

VERDICT: Northern Districts Knights 15/20
Prior to the tournament, I flagged Northern Districts as a side who could surprise and go far in this tournament. Luckily, they’ve proved me right so far. In that vein, I don’t foresee Hobart’s sluggish bowling attack having enough to suppress the Knights, while Southee and Boult could cause all kinds of problems when the ball is skidding on. Back Northern Districts and keep an eye on them to surprise their way through to the knockouts.

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