Reprieved Cobras face uphill task

Sunday, September 28, 2014
Start time 2000 local (1430 GMT)

Cape Cobras are somehow still in with a shout of making the Champions League T20 semi-finals. They shouldn't be. Cobras lost their first two games heavily, leaked 174 against Barbados Tridents in their third, fell to 143 for 5 in the chase with 32 still to get from the last three overs, and all their recognised batsmen back in the dugout.

By huffing and puffing for twos, and finding the occasional boundary, Sybrand Engelbrecht clawed the equation down to 13 needed off six. Still, had the Tridents wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich not fumbled a simple return from the deep off the last ball and effected a fairly straightforward run-out, Tridents would have been on the board, and Cobras would have been out. Cobras edged the resulting Super Over, with Engelbrecht once again playing a key role, but qualification is still out of their hands, and there is work yet to be done if the team are to make their second semi-final.

Cobras first need to hope Tridents prevail against Hobart Hurricanes. If that happens, and Cobras win their final game, then barring a washout, three teams will be locked on eight points at the end of the group stages, bringing net-run rate into the equation.

From their end, Cobras' goal is simple: win, and win big. They will however be up against a Kings XI Punjab side that has won three out of three, and out-batted every team they have faced in the tournament.

Cobras have conceded 566 runs from their three games, and their ineffective spinners are party to blame for that, with nobody other than Engelbrecht contributing a single wicket. On a high-scoring Mohali track that has produced runs galore, and against a Kings XI line-up that has big hitters all the way down to No.7, Cobras will need the likes of Vernon Philander and Charl Langeveldt to step up and check the flow of runs during the slog overs.

Kings XI are already through to the semis, and will be looking to flex their batting muscle one last time in the group stages, as well as give their relatively inexperienced bowling attack a final workout.

Kings XI WWWLW (most recent first, completed matches only)
Cobras WLLLW

Though it hasn't affected the team, Glenn Maxwell is yet to truly make a mark in the tournament. After lighting up IPL 2014 with 552 runs at a strike-rate of 187.75, four half-centuries, 48 fours and 36 sixes, Maxwell has managed just 66 runs from three innings so far in the Champions League. With qualification already assured and the pressure off, Sunday could be the ideal time for the batsman to once again unleash the switch-hit to devastating effect.

After two fairly quiet games, Hashim Amla made a telling contribution against Tridents with a 42-ball 59. Amla has been in fine form across all formats heading into the competition, and Cobras will need his calm and expertise at the top of the order in what is likely to be another run-fest in Mohali.

"It is a happy feeling in the dressing room. We missed out on the trophy in the IPL. But this time we will try and win this one."
Manan Vohra is confident that Kings XI will end their trophy drought by going all the all the way in the Champions League