Sydney Sixers vs Mumbai Indians ? Match Preview ? Champions League T20 2012
Mumbai Indians and Sydney Sixers will take on each other today in a ?dead rubber? of the Champions League T20 2012?s Group B at the Kingsmead, Durban.
The outcome of this encounter is not going to have any impact on the tournament as the Sixers have already qualified for the semi-finals; whereas, Mumbai has no chance of proceeding in the tournament, having failed to register a single win in the event so far.
Brad Haddin and company will look to use this match as an opportunity to adjust to life without their ace cricketer, Shane Watson, who has been withdrawn from the competition by Cricket Australia in order to get him refreshed ahead of the upcoming Test series against South Africa.
Watson is considered to be one of the most valuable T20 cricketers in the world because of his ability to change the course of a match with both bat and ball. The all-rounder did well in the initial stages of the event and lifting the trophy without Watson is surely going to be a huge task for the Sixers.
The 31-year-old cricketer wanted to help his side winning the glamorous competition but believes that Sydney have the potential to go all the way in the tournament even in his absence.
"For us (the Sixers) to be able to qualify for the semi-finals was certainly my goal," Watson said. "Personally to be able to help contribute to make sure that we're in the semi-finals before I head home, it's worked out very nicely.?
However, the Sixers are not just about Watson as they have a number of quality cricketers in their ranks. Michael Lumb, their overseas player, has a lot of experience of T20 cricket and can be a very destructive batsman on his day. On top of that, Haddin has looked in good form in the tournament so far and must take the responsibility on his shoulders as the knockout matches are approaching fast.
Sydney have the services of three outstanding fast bowlers in shape of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, who are efficiently backed up by the all-rounder, Moises Henriques, who seems to be on top of his game at the moment.
Haddin?s men would love to enter into the semis with a positive frame of mind; hence, they cannot afford to take the Indians lightly.
On the other side of the coin, the Indians will be extremely disappointed with their performance in the tournament. Being the defending champions, Mumbai were considered to be one of the pre-tournament favourites; however, they are yet to taste success in the competition.
Harbhajan Singh and company have plenty of superstars in their ranks, who would not want to go back home without a single victory. Mumbai have nothing to lose in this game but they would be hungry to make a mark and end the competition on a winning note, which is crucial for the side?s morale.
Sachin Tendulkar, the batting-maestro, has not been able to make an impression on this edition of the Champions League. With some of the former cricketers asking for his retirement, the legendary batsman will be keen to put up a big performance tonight.
On form, the Sixers are surely the favourites for tonight?s encounter but on paper, both the teams are evenly matched and we should witness a well-fought contest.
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