This Sunday features what should be one of the best matches of the PC Championship - Zorax's mighty TT Lions vs. Zain's rapidly improving Assassin's XI.
At first look, the TT Lions look the stronger team on paper. Their recent form has been great, winning their last 5 games rather convincingly since a tight loss to the Borncicketer's XI. There bowling attack has been good enough to dismantle the strongest of batting lineups -Old Wulf's for 236, Brigg's Bullets for 110- and their sharp fielding snapping up crucial chances. Playing at home is bound to give them an advantage, with over 3000 rampant Lion fans expected to attend.
But the Assasin's have a point to prove too. After ending up unbeaten in their league and looking firm favourites to displace the Wulfs for the second promotion spot, their current form coming into this match -Won 25 matches out 27- has been nothing to scoff at. Playing away from home is bound to make things difficult, as the team would have to make the adjustment from the Uneveness of their ground to what is likely to be a seamer-friendly pitch.
The match should be a close one, with it basically going down to the fantastic batting ability of the Assassin' against the brilliance of the Lion's bowling. Both team's managers are tactical experts and know their job well. As a matter of fact, Assassin XI manager Zain has taken plenty of advice from Zorax regarding issues about his team and transfers in his past, with the Lion's manager guiding him through his early days. This match is being billed as a student vs. teacher, and it's going to be close.
TT Lions:
Strength: Bowling, with Crouch, Rudi, Tuckett, Folkes and Andrews all expected to feature.
Star Players:
Ryan Crouch - The legendary allrounder has always saved his best for when it matters the most. With this match being crucial in the Lion's hopes for promotion and having missed out on playing against them the last time they met, he will be raring to go. His destructive batting in the middle order and lethal swingers are expected to play a crucial role.
Lennox Rudi - This young prodigy has had a fantastic season, coming out of Crouch's shadow and shedding the label of 'The next Ryan'. His bustling seamers with the new ball and solid top order batting is a complete opposite to Crouch's style and his consistency has been a critical factor in the Lion's success this season. He hasn't been tested much against high quality opposition though, and has yet to have a match-winning performance in crucial games, so will be looking to seize this opposition with both hands.
Bill Tuckett - This young leggie has ripped through lineups this entire season, and his hunger for wickets doesn't ever seem to be satisfied. He has a knack for removing the opposition's star batsmen -the scalps of Gilroy and Ainsworth as proof- and has singled out Assassin's star batsman Robert Hansen as his target. As captain, he has plenty of pressure, but his team management skills and tactical ability has been impressive of late. No one doubts his ability to perform when the pressure is on, and he is crucial for the Lions winning this game.
Wavell Folkes - This young pacer has a few points to prove after some poor performances of late, and couldn't pick a bigger or better stage to shine.
Wild Cards:
Arthur Dennis - If he plays, this destructive batsman will look to prove a point or two after being stripped of his captaincy of late. His fielding is sloppy, especially in the outfield, but his experience and good nature could turn things around for the team in difficult times.
Kieran Mcintyre - After having feasted on weak bowling attacks, he will be looking to convert this ability onto the big stage. His poor performance against the Bullets -a painful, boundary less 17 off 51 balls- will surely hurt his confidence, but he has the ability and temperment to turn things around.
Weak Points:
Batting - The opening pair of Whing and Mcintyre is inexperienced, and both haven't been in great form of late. They'll need to dig deep and pull out some good performances.
Bowling - The inexperience of Folkes and the recent dip in form for Crouch may impact how this match will turn out.
New comers:
Billy Alnwick - Talks are in progress for his transfer to the Lions for an unknown sum. If the transfer does go through, he is expected to replace Kieran Mcintyre in the lineup, or take the seventh batting spot in the team over Dennis, Cox, Spearitt and Butcher.
Possible Lineup: Whing, Mcintyre, Rudi, Gallagher, Crouch, Shipp, Dennis, Rheams (+), Andrews, Tuckett (*), Folkes.
Assassin's XI:
Strength - Batting, with a strong lineup of Hansen, Mahmood, Holis, Heath and Ettiene.
Star Players:
Robert Hansen - Teams best player, best batsman, outstanding keeper and fearless leader. He has won the Assassin's many matches single handedly. Good Stamina and Concentration allows him to stay on crease for 50 overs. He might be the one to change the match on sunday.
Allan Ettiene - The best all rounder Assassins ever had. A really reliable one down batsman who can bat for 50 overs. And very good bowler in the death overs. He can be a key to this match.
Sher Rahim - An outstanding bowler and can tear apart any batting lineup. He is also the one to be feared this sunday.
Maurice Dickman - A really good partner of Rahim they both can do wonders on there day.
Wild Cards:
Mahmood - He has played many great innings but he is not in form. He can also do wonders.
Akhlagullah - A lone spinner in the team. He is economical and can dry the runs.
Weak points:
Batting - No one to save the day after no. 4
Bowing - Lack of spin bowling options.
New comers:
There might be two new players. One batsman and one bowler. One has been confirmed, that of Australian batsman Thomas Heath.
Possible Lineup: Hansen(* +), Mahmood, Ettiene, Holis, Heath, Bernard, Short, Akhlagullah, Dickman, Rahim, Eleventh Man unknown.
At first look, the TT Lions look the stronger team on paper. Their recent form has been great, winning their last 5 games rather convincingly since a tight loss to the Borncicketer's XI. There bowling attack has been good enough to dismantle the strongest of batting lineups -Old Wulf's for 236, Brigg's Bullets for 110- and their sharp fielding snapping up crucial chances. Playing at home is bound to give them an advantage, with over 3000 rampant Lion fans expected to attend.
But the Assasin's have a point to prove too. After ending up unbeaten in their league and looking firm favourites to displace the Wulfs for the second promotion spot, their current form coming into this match -Won 25 matches out 27- has been nothing to scoff at. Playing away from home is bound to make things difficult, as the team would have to make the adjustment from the Uneveness of their ground to what is likely to be a seamer-friendly pitch.
The match should be a close one, with it basically going down to the fantastic batting ability of the Assassin' against the brilliance of the Lion's bowling. Both team's managers are tactical experts and know their job well. As a matter of fact, Assassin XI manager Zain has taken plenty of advice from Zorax regarding issues about his team and transfers in his past, with the Lion's manager guiding him through his early days. This match is being billed as a student vs. teacher, and it's going to be close.
TT Lions:
Strength: Bowling, with Crouch, Rudi, Tuckett, Folkes and Andrews all expected to feature.
Star Players:
Ryan Crouch - The legendary allrounder has always saved his best for when it matters the most. With this match being crucial in the Lion's hopes for promotion and having missed out on playing against them the last time they met, he will be raring to go. His destructive batting in the middle order and lethal swingers are expected to play a crucial role.
Lennox Rudi - This young prodigy has had a fantastic season, coming out of Crouch's shadow and shedding the label of 'The next Ryan'. His bustling seamers with the new ball and solid top order batting is a complete opposite to Crouch's style and his consistency has been a critical factor in the Lion's success this season. He hasn't been tested much against high quality opposition though, and has yet to have a match-winning performance in crucial games, so will be looking to seize this opposition with both hands.
Bill Tuckett - This young leggie has ripped through lineups this entire season, and his hunger for wickets doesn't ever seem to be satisfied. He has a knack for removing the opposition's star batsmen -the scalps of Gilroy and Ainsworth as proof- and has singled out Assassin's star batsman Robert Hansen as his target. As captain, he has plenty of pressure, but his team management skills and tactical ability has been impressive of late. No one doubts his ability to perform when the pressure is on, and he is crucial for the Lions winning this game.
Wavell Folkes - This young pacer has a few points to prove after some poor performances of late, and couldn't pick a bigger or better stage to shine.
Wild Cards:
Arthur Dennis - If he plays, this destructive batsman will look to prove a point or two after being stripped of his captaincy of late. His fielding is sloppy, especially in the outfield, but his experience and good nature could turn things around for the team in difficult times.
Kieran Mcintyre - After having feasted on weak bowling attacks, he will be looking to convert this ability onto the big stage. His poor performance against the Bullets -a painful, boundary less 17 off 51 balls- will surely hurt his confidence, but he has the ability and temperment to turn things around.
Weak Points:
Batting - The opening pair of Whing and Mcintyre is inexperienced, and both haven't been in great form of late. They'll need to dig deep and pull out some good performances.
Bowling - The inexperience of Folkes and the recent dip in form for Crouch may impact how this match will turn out.
New comers:
Billy Alnwick - Talks are in progress for his transfer to the Lions for an unknown sum. If the transfer does go through, he is expected to replace Kieran Mcintyre in the lineup, or take the seventh batting spot in the team over Dennis, Cox, Spearitt and Butcher.
Possible Lineup: Whing, Mcintyre, Rudi, Gallagher, Crouch, Shipp, Dennis, Rheams (+), Andrews, Tuckett (*), Folkes.
Assassin's XI:
Strength - Batting, with a strong lineup of Hansen, Mahmood, Holis, Heath and Ettiene.
Star Players:
Robert Hansen - Teams best player, best batsman, outstanding keeper and fearless leader. He has won the Assassin's many matches single handedly. Good Stamina and Concentration allows him to stay on crease for 50 overs. He might be the one to change the match on sunday.
Allan Ettiene - The best all rounder Assassins ever had. A really reliable one down batsman who can bat for 50 overs. And very good bowler in the death overs. He can be a key to this match.
Sher Rahim - An outstanding bowler and can tear apart any batting lineup. He is also the one to be feared this sunday.
Maurice Dickman - A really good partner of Rahim they both can do wonders on there day.
Wild Cards:
Mahmood - He has played many great innings but he is not in form. He can also do wonders.
Akhlagullah - A lone spinner in the team. He is economical and can dry the runs.
Weak points:
Batting - No one to save the day after no. 4
Bowing - Lack of spin bowling options.
New comers:
There might be two new players. One batsman and one bowler. One has been confirmed, that of Australian batsman Thomas Heath.
Possible Lineup: Hansen(* +), Mahmood, Ettiene, Holis, Heath, Bernard, Short, Akhlagullah, Dickman, Rahim, Eleventh Man unknown.
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