Chennai face elimination
October 04, 2011 09:13:36 UK
Phil Hughes' re-birth as a quality batsman could take another step forward if he can help his New South Wales team-mates overcome current champions Chennai Super Kings.
Mike Hussey needs to be at his best against his fellow Australians.If Cape Cobras have already won their game then, despite the partisan home crowd, Chennai will be deflated as they cannot progress.
MS Dhoni will probably be glad to see the end of the last six months as, after being the world champion's ODI skipper, his year has imploded and if Cobras go through he knows there is nothing he can do.
His side have under-performed and may now have little chance to remedy the situation but, if they can, they will need Mike Hussey and Doug Bollinger to thwart their countrymen.
Chennai are 1.66 to win the game with Hussey 3.50 to be his side's leading batsman, while New South Wales are available at 2.20 to emerge victorious with Hughes 5.00 to be their top run-scorer.
Shane Watson and Simon Katich are two more reasons why an Australian win is likely. Katich may have been discarded by his national selectors, despite being one of the few Aussies to have his pride intact after the Ashes thrashing, but a win here would be some consolation.
However, if Trinidad win the opening match, then Dhoni's side could progress on a massive tide of local pride from both the crowd and the team.
Everyone who goes to the game will be hoping that is the outcome, but it looks like it will be a poor day for Mumbai Indians and Chennai as Cape Cobras and New South Wales seem set to make a dent in local television viewing figures by securing the first two places in the semi-finals.
If South Australia and Somerset win on Wednesday it could be a disastrous two days for the organisers; something which could well come to pass.
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