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CLT20 2014 Qualifier Match 6: Mumbai Indians vs Northern Knights — Key battles

Coming in to the qualifiers, not many would have given Northern Knights a strong chance.

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Michael Hussey looked in good form in the previous match © IANS
Michael Hussey looked in good form in the previous match © IANS (File photo)

Mumbai Indians will face Northern Knights in the sixth and final qualification match of the Champions League Twenty 20 (CLT20) 2014 at Raipur on Tuesday. Sameer Jha takes a look at some of the key battles that may prove crucial in deciding the outcome of the match.

Northern Knights have virtually made it to the tournament’s main round, and will look to keep their winning momentum going. Mumbai Indians (MI) will look to clinch a convincing victory, but they’ll be aware of what they are required to do to qualify despite the outcome of the match between Lahore Lions and Southern Express. The Indian Premier League (IPL) side had climbed an extremely steep mountain when it came to scoring quickly earlier in the year against Rajasthan Royals. In case the need arises, they’ll hope to reproduce similar magic against NK too.

Michael Hussey versus Trent Boult: Michael Hussey didn’t produce the goods for Mumbai Indians in this year’s IPL, and was resultantly dropped from the side. However, in CLT20 he hasn’t let the same thing happen. Nicknamed ‘Mr Cricket’, Hussey scored a match-winning half-century against Southern Express and made a chase of 171 look like a walk in the park. He’d certainly like to continue in the same vein, but will face stiff resistance from Trent Boult who has been bowling superbly for NK. The 25-year-old Boult has intimidated batsmen with his accuracy, and has grabbed four wickets so far in the tournament.

Ambati Rayudu versus Tim Southee: Ambati Rayudu was unable to carry the momentum from the kind of form he displayed in India’s tour to England in MI’s first match against Lahore Lions, where he was dismissed for a measly three runs. He’d be itching to make amends for that by scoring plenty of runs, and the match against NK could provide him the perfect opportunity. Among the bowlers that he may have to contend with is Tim Southee who has displayed excellent form so far in the tournament. Southee too has taken four wickets in the tournament.

Kane Williamson versus Lasith Malinga: Kane Williamson’s match-winning half-century in the first match against Southern Express was filled with some delightful shots, and he’ll look to inflict similar damage on MI’s bowlers too. However, Williamson won’t find it easy against Lasith Malinga who has been average so far his side, but still remains a force that can skittle out batsman like a pack of cards on his day.

Daniel Flynn versus Pragyan Ojha: Coming in to the qualifiers, not many would have given Northern Knights a strong chance of progressing given the Kiwi side were up against three sub-continent teams in familiar conditions. However, Daniel Flynn and his men have fought like Knights to secure two fabulous victories in their opening two games. Flynn deserves plenty of credit for building such a team around him, and his batting too has been praise-worthy. He scored a 30-ball 53 against Lahore, and combined well with BJ Watling to demoralise Lahore Lions’ bowlers. He’d want himself to play a similar knock against MI, but will have to deal with Pragyan Ojha. The 28-year-old Ojha bowled wonderfully against Lahore Lions and almost helped MI defend a measly 135.

Complete coverage of Champions League T20 (CLT20) 2014 here

(Sameer Jha is a reporter at CricketCountry. He can be followed on Twitter at @SameerJha)

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