I must confess that until today the Nokia Champions League T20 seemed like just another meaningless, albeit financially lucrative bashfest in India. However, with the Royal Challengers Bangalore's thrilling last-ball victory over South Australia and Somerset's dismantling of the highly-fancied Warriors, suddenly the competition has acquired a new sheen of credibility and excitement.
OK, so I'm a Somerset fan and therefore I have a personal interest in the outcome. Having reached the semi-finals, we all know that Somerset will lose in the final. Given their record in recent one-day tournaments, that's inevitable! Nevertheless, the £1million or so prize money will be a fabulous boost to the coffers. Just as significantly, while the tournament waves farewell to the likes of Hussey, Dhoni, Gibbs, Steyn, Tait, Kallis and Lee, new names on the global stage now include Peter Trego, massive six-hitter Jos Buttler, Roelof van der Merwe and young Adam Dibble, who had a memorable T20 debut today!
So if Alfonso Thomas and his merry men don't unearth any celebratory cider - against their tweeted wishes! - and beat Harbajhan Singh's Mumbai Indians, who will replace the Chennai Super Kings as the 2011 champions? The other semi will be fought between New South Wales and Bangalore. The latter were heading out of the competition until Chris Gayle found his mojo and flayed the Somerset attack for eight sixes on Monday, then Dilshan and Kohli plundered 15 more against South Australia this afternoon just as the Redbacks must surely have thought their 214-2 had been enough to guarantee progress. Don't forget Daniel Vettori either. In today's runfest, he was once again Mr Economical, conceding only a run a ball.
New South Wales lost their first game against the Cape Cobras and their prospects weren't looking rosy. They sneaked through against Trinidad & Tobago by virtue of a one-over eliminator, then they struggled against the Mumbai Indians after Clark, Cummins and O'Keefe had throttled the opposition batsmen. However, against the Super Kings, David Warner produced an outstanding innings of 135 not out in just 69 balls, and now momentum seems to be on their side.
Both NSW and RCB boast some sparkling T20 batsmen and there could be some real fireworks when Gayle, Dilshan, Warner and Watson get going. However, I think the deciding factor could be in the bowling. Without Brett Lee, lured away by superior IPL cash, the Aussies look a bit weak in that department and Dirk Nannes and Vettori could have the edge. Most teams playing against Bangalore probably have one tactic: get Gayle out in the first over and you'll probably win. Let him off the hook and get his eye in, and it's curtains! One Nannes yorker or a mistimed hoik to a boundary fielder and it's in the bag for NSW. Nevertheless, I'll go for the IPL franchise to win the semi and go on to beat the perennial English bridesmaids.
Oh, how I'd love to be wrong and see Somerset right a few wrongs and emerge as world beaters on Sunday. Give Kieswetter a knighthood and Thomas the freedom of Taunton! Don't forget Marcus Trescothick either. He may not travel abroad with his team but without him, Somerset would never have qualified for this end-of-season beano in the first place. Come on, lads. Do it for Banger!
