Auckland face weakened Kolkata
ESPNcricinfo previews the Champions League Twenty20 qualifier between Kolkata Knight Riders and Auckland in Hyderabad
Match facts
Auckland v Kolkata Knight Riders, September 19Start time 20.00 (14.30 GMT)
Big Picture
Kolkata Knight Riders finished fourth in IPL 2011 and, having come to the qualifiers with the least favourable result in their domestic league among the participating teams, will be eager to prove they belong with the Twenty20 elite. Injuries to their captain Gautam Gambhir and Eoin Morgan, and Brad Haddin's unavailability - he's with the Australia Test squad in Sri Lanka - will affect the quality and balance of the side. Even so, a team featuring the likes of Jacques Kallis, Yusuf Pathan and Brett Lee should post a stiff challenge.Team news
Jimmy Adams and de Grandhomme are likely to open, with Martin Guptill at No. 3. Auckland were flexible in the HRV Cup, with Vincent, Anaru Kitchen and Munro floating up and down the order. Here, Munro's HRV form and Robert Quiney's power-hitting should put them ahead of Kitchen for middle-order spots. With Indian conditions in mind, they might consider going against a traditional strength and playing two spinners, bringing Bruce Martin in to partner Ronnie Hira.Watch out for …
Andre Adams is coming off a fine English county season and HRV Cup, where he topped the bowling charts for Nottinghamshire and Auckland. Can he reproduce that form at the batting paradise that is the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad?Key contest
Iqbal Abdulla v Auckland batsmen: A side from New Zealand might not be completely at ease against spin. Left-armer Iqbal Abdulla proved he could rein in and get past several international batsmen in IPL 2011. The Auckland power-hitters' response to Abdulla's wiles promises to be an intriguing battle.Stats & trivia
- Kolkata were the only team in IPL 2011 to have four bowlers - Abdulla, Yusuf, Rajat Bhatia and Shakib - with an economy rate below 7.00 (25 overs minimum).
Quotes
"Nothing actually beats playing in India. For some young players, it can be a great experience, [maybe even] a frightening one. The experienced players will help them."Paul Strang, Auckland's coach