2013 Champions League T20 team preview: Highveld Lions

Highveld Lions, on the virtue of qualifying for the 2013 Champions League T20, became one among the two non-Indian teams to have participated in CLT20 thrice.

This time, they are much stronger than their previous appearances in the tournament. In 2010, they were knocked out in the first round and in 2012, they finished runners up to Sydney Sixers.

Neil McKenzie

This time around, they look to emulate their 2012 performance and finish a step higher than last year.

They qualified for the 2013 edition after winning the Ram Slam T20 Challenge, South Africa’s premier T20 event. They won the tournament by beating Titans by 30 runs in the finals courtesy a brilliant 31 ball 44 from their opener de Kock and some extraordinary show by their bowlers. Here is the complete analysis of Highveld Lions in 2013 CLT20.

Squad:

Captain: Alviro Petersen.

Coach: Geoffrey Toyana.

Batsmen: Alviro Petersen, Gulam Bodi, Neil McKenzie, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen.

All Rounders: Dwaine Pretorius, Jean Symes.

Bowlers: Imran Tahir, Sohail Tanvir, Aaron Phangiso, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Ethan O’Reilly, Hardus Viljoen.

Wicket Keeper: Thami Tsolekile, Quinton De Kock.

Strengths:

Lions have one of the strongest top order in the tournament.
Sohail Tanvir and Lonwabo Tsotsobe can form a lethal partnership with the new ball.
Two decent spinners they have in Phangiso and Tahir
Dwaine Pretorius and Jean Symes could be deadly in the slog overs.

Weakness:

Almost all the players are new to the Indian conditions.
Their inability to handle pressure during crucial moments.
Fall of early wickets could dent their run rate in the middle overs.
Absence of a sixth bowling option.

X-Factor:

With the Lions’ batsmen expected to do their job, the onus is on the bowlers to call the shots. Experts used to say “fast bowlers hunt in pairs” and the same can be said for the Lions’ new ball pair.

Their new ball pair – Sohail Tanvir and Lonwabo Tsotsobe - form a lethal partnership in order to make some early inroads in the opposition batting line-up.

Pakistan international Tanvir can swing the new ball both ways and has some good variations that can confuse the batsmen in the death overs.

On the other hand, his partner, South Africa’s Tsotsobe who has represented Warriors in the past hits the deck hard, contains the run flow and pick wickets when needed. Tanvir is also a big hitter of the cricket ball and will come in handy in the slog overs. Clearly Tanvir and Tsotsobe have their task cut out for Lions in the CLT20.

Players to watch out for:

He made the cricketing fraternity look at him during the 2012 under-19 world cup where he represented South Africa. Lions’ youngster Quinton de Kock is a good batsman, who can score runs quickly, keeps wickets and is also an electrifying fielder. Later that year he had a wonderful domestic season with Lions that included his good show in the 2012 CLT20 including some crucial knocks against Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Daredevils. He was rewarded for his performances with a call up to his national ODI side and also got a contract in IPL where he represented Sunrisers Hyderabad. His stint with Sunrisers in the IPL should have given him some knowledge about Indian conditions. The Lions will be hoping to see de Kock coming good in CLT20.

Neil McKenzie has been the backbone of Lions’ batting line-up for a while now. The former South African batsman holds key in case of any collapse in the Lions’ top-order. He is a sensible batsman who rotates the strike in the middle overs and does not allow the run rate to drop. He is also capable of scoring some quick runs in the end overs. The Lions will use McKenzie as a finisher and will expect him to come good in the tournament. His knowledge about the Indian conditions will come in handy for the team. All eyes will be on this 37-year-old to come good as he holds key for Lions’ fortunes in the tournament.

Possible Playing XI: Rassie van der Dussen, Gulam Bodi, Quinton De Kock, Alviro Petersen, Neil McKenzie, Jean Symes, Thami Tsolekile, Sohail Tanvir, Aaron Phangiso, Imran Tahir, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

Highveld Lions Schedule:

Monday 23 September v Perth in Ahmedabad

Wednesday 25 September v Royals in Jaipur

Friday 27 September v Mumbai in Ahmedabad

Sunday 29 September v Qualifier in Jaipur

Will the Lions sans some big names in their line-up be third time lucky in CLT20?