At last, something about the Champions League to cheer about! For a tournament funded, scheduled and structured to maximise the chances of an IPL franchise victory, it must be galling for the organisers to face the situation of all three remaining teams representing either South Africa or Australia.
The scarlet-clad Lions side ended the Delhi Daredevils' unbeaten run in the competition this evening. Chris Morris took 2-7 in his four overs, including the big wickets of Warner and Pietersen, as the IPL superstars collapsed in the second half of their innings. Morris' figures were especially notable because seamers are rarely so frugal, but he was well supported by spinner Aaron Phangiso and Sohail Tanvir. Neil McKenzie, as he so often is, had been the most impressive home batsman with an unbeaten 46 from 28 balls.
The domestic T20 Challenge runners-up may not boast an international all-star cast but they had enough quality to win three out of their four Group matches. Gulam Bodi is easily the highest scorer in the Champions League so far, thanks to three half-centuries. Phangiso is second in the wicket-taking table, and has conceded on average fewer than five runs an over. Rent-a-T20 paceman Dirk Nannes may have gone with the Lions for this tourney but he has been outshone by most of his team-mates.
Vying to meet them in the Final are their domestic conquerors the Titans and Big Bash winners Sydney Sixers. Plenty of talent in this semi, too. The Aussies are awash with internationals, and on paper their bowlers look particularly impressive. Starc, Cummins and Hazelwood are top-class young seamers, backed by Henriques and a certain Shane Watson. Watto opens the batting with England's Michael Lumb, but Brad Haddin, Dominic Thornely and Steven Smith make for a fragile middle-order. Nevertheless they have a 100% record to date.
I must make the Titans favourites, especially playing at Centurion. Jacques Rudolph has been in the runs, and Roelof van der Merwe's spin has been a potent weapon, even in the thumping defeat at the hands of KKR last weekend. All it takes is for the rest of the team to reach their potential and the Sixers will have a real challenge on their hands. De Villiers, Van der Merwe (with the bat), van Jaarsveld and Alfonso Thomas are amongst the South African line-up who can do considerable damage, but against such am strong Aussie attack, the batsmen have to make steady runs if they are to win. The Warriors have been South Africa's only CLT finalists in the three previous years but it could well be two this time, while he Sixers hope to emulate NSW who won the inaugural competition in 2009. I'll stick my neck out and go for the Lions to go all the way.
