The second semi final pits two teams that no one gave a chance of making the final. As the tournament has progressed both sides have proved to be the fairytale sides.
Cape Cobras who kicked off this tournament against Bangalore, struck the first upset of the tournament by taking down Bangalore who posted a more than sizable 180. JP Duminy only knock of substance came in this match with 99 off just 52 balls including five 6s that still holds him equal with Warner in terms of number of sixes hit. As the tournament progressed other Cape Cobra players have stepped up and made their mark with captain Andrew Puttick producing the only hundred of the tournament. Henry Davids stepped up with 69 to produce their second upset of the tournament against T20 heavyweights Victoria. The winning streak came to a halt against Delhi who looked determined to end a disappointing tournament on a high.
Trinidad & Tobago have been the other fairytales of this tournament and they remain the only team yet to be beaten this tournament. Trinidad & Tobago's strength has been in their batting which averages 170, easily the best in the tournament. A number of potential new stars have been unearthed during their batting demolishing including Pollard who stunned the world with his 54 off just 18 balls. Simmons who showed so much promise during his short stint with West Indies has been steady throughout this tournament along with his opening partner Perkins. Barath who was unleashed against the Eagles scoring 63 off 41 could have earned himself a spot against the Cobras adding to the batting strength of T&T. Navin Stewart unleashed a Pollard like knock with 33 off just 11 balls sending further shock waves to teams that have to meet T&T. Stewart also boost the bowling attack with his fast medium bowling.
Neither side have the star power bowlers that NSW and other teams in this tournament have. Dwayne Bravo has lead the way in the bowling department taking 10 wickets to be equal leading wicket taker with one game in hand of his rivals Henriques and McKay. Ganga and Mohammed have been solid throughout the tournament and Pollard showed his all round skills by taking 2 wickets against the Eagles. The Cape Cobras attack hasn't had one bowler in particular that has lead the way but they have worked as a team in general with each bowler keeping it tight or picking up the odd wicket.
T&T have the advantage in the batting department with a number of big hitters capable of destroying the Cobras' bowlers. Cape Cobras may not have the big hitters that T&T have but they have two experienced players in Gibbs and Duminy. Gibbs probably wished he stayed at the hotel for the Delhi game after getting his second golden duck of the tournament. But as usual you can never fully write of a player with the natural abilities that Gibbs has and should he finally get his act together he could provide the knock to match T&T's big hitters. Duminy has been quiet since his 99 but he is a big match player so expect JP to deliver.
This match will be decided on how well each bowling unit does to restrict the other, in particular the Cobras who will need to be on their game against the high flying T&T batsmen.
Lineup information
Puttick said Langeveldt was fit but for their match against Delhi but they choose not to risk him. Langeveldt should come in for this clash. Plaatjies who bowled very well against Delhi might retain his spot over Ontong or Philander. Despite Gibbs poor form there is no chance of him being dropped.
Cape Cobras: AG Puttick*, HH Gibbs, H Davids, JP Duminy, JL Ontong, RK Kleinveldt, RCC Canning†, CW Henderson, M Zondeki, FC Plaatjies, CK Langeveldt
Even though Barath and Stewart only played their first match against the Eagles, they have done more than the players they replaced and more than likely will be retained.
Trinidad & Tobago: WKD Perkins, A Barath, LMP Simmons, KA Pollard, ND Stewart, DJ Bravo, D Ganga*, D Ramdin†, S Ganga, D Mohammed, R Rampaul
Cape Cobras who kicked off this tournament against Bangalore, struck the first upset of the tournament by taking down Bangalore who posted a more than sizable 180. JP Duminy only knock of substance came in this match with 99 off just 52 balls including five 6s that still holds him equal with Warner in terms of number of sixes hit. As the tournament progressed other Cape Cobra players have stepped up and made their mark with captain Andrew Puttick producing the only hundred of the tournament. Henry Davids stepped up with 69 to produce their second upset of the tournament against T20 heavyweights Victoria. The winning streak came to a halt against Delhi who looked determined to end a disappointing tournament on a high.
Trinidad & Tobago have been the other fairytales of this tournament and they remain the only team yet to be beaten this tournament. Trinidad & Tobago's strength has been in their batting which averages 170, easily the best in the tournament. A number of potential new stars have been unearthed during their batting demolishing including Pollard who stunned the world with his 54 off just 18 balls. Simmons who showed so much promise during his short stint with West Indies has been steady throughout this tournament along with his opening partner Perkins. Barath who was unleashed against the Eagles scoring 63 off 41 could have earned himself a spot against the Cobras adding to the batting strength of T&T. Navin Stewart unleashed a Pollard like knock with 33 off just 11 balls sending further shock waves to teams that have to meet T&T. Stewart also boost the bowling attack with his fast medium bowling.
Neither side have the star power bowlers that NSW and other teams in this tournament have. Dwayne Bravo has lead the way in the bowling department taking 10 wickets to be equal leading wicket taker with one game in hand of his rivals Henriques and McKay. Ganga and Mohammed have been solid throughout the tournament and Pollard showed his all round skills by taking 2 wickets against the Eagles. The Cape Cobras attack hasn't had one bowler in particular that has lead the way but they have worked as a team in general with each bowler keeping it tight or picking up the odd wicket.
T&T have the advantage in the batting department with a number of big hitters capable of destroying the Cobras' bowlers. Cape Cobras may not have the big hitters that T&T have but they have two experienced players in Gibbs and Duminy. Gibbs probably wished he stayed at the hotel for the Delhi game after getting his second golden duck of the tournament. But as usual you can never fully write of a player with the natural abilities that Gibbs has and should he finally get his act together he could provide the knock to match T&T's big hitters. Duminy has been quiet since his 99 but he is a big match player so expect JP to deliver.
This match will be decided on how well each bowling unit does to restrict the other, in particular the Cobras who will need to be on their game against the high flying T&T batsmen.
Lineup information
Puttick said Langeveldt was fit but for their match against Delhi but they choose not to risk him. Langeveldt should come in for this clash. Plaatjies who bowled very well against Delhi might retain his spot over Ontong or Philander. Despite Gibbs poor form there is no chance of him being dropped.
Cape Cobras: AG Puttick*, HH Gibbs, H Davids, JP Duminy, JL Ontong, RK Kleinveldt, RCC Canning†, CW Henderson, M Zondeki, FC Plaatjies, CK Langeveldt
Even though Barath and Stewart only played their first match against the Eagles, they have done more than the players they replaced and more than likely will be retained.
Trinidad & Tobago: WKD Perkins, A Barath, LMP Simmons, KA Pollard, ND Stewart, DJ Bravo, D Ganga*, D Ramdin†, S Ganga, D Mohammed, R Rampaul
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