RAIPUR: Spirited New Zealand side Northern Knights, who upstaged a star-studded Mumbai Indians in the qualifiers, will come face to face with one of the favourites to lift the title, South Africa’s Cape Cobras, in their opening Group B tie of the Champions League Twenty20 here on Friday.
Cape Cobras, who were last seen in CLT20 back in 2009, when they reached the semi-finals, are one of the strongest sides in the tournament but have been dealt a massive injury blow just at the start of the event.
Their top batsman J.P. Duminy has been ruled out due to injury and that will cause a huge vacuum in the side given that he was among their few players with experience of playing in India.
Northern Knights, on the other hand, are buoyant after finishing their qualifying engagements unbeaten. The star of their campaign was Kane Williamson and the young batsman’s role will become even more crucial in the main tournament.
For Cobras, the challenge will be to adapt to the conditions.
“It is about how we deal with the pressure and how we gel as a team. Many members of the team have played a lot of cricket, but not necessarily the T20 format,” captain Justin Ontong said.
Even without Duminy, the Cobras have a decent line-up boasting of the experienced Hashim Amla, Ontong himself and Robin Peterson.
Pacers Vernon Philander and Rory Kleinveldt will be spearheading the bowling attack.
For the Knights, Williamson aside, a lot will also be expected of veteran all-rounder Scott Styris, B.J. Watling and skipper David Flynn.
Pacers Trent Boult and Tim Southee will be their bowling mainstays.
