Reinforced Somerset aim for second win

Match facts

October 1, Bangalore
Start time 1600 (1030 GMT)

Somerset have had six days to rest and prepare after their opening fixture, a period during which some other sides have played three games. The break has been good for Somerset; two of their key players - Craig Kieswetter and Jos Buttler - have joined the squad following their England commitments, while the two IPL sides in Group B have moved to the brink of elimination. If Somerset win on Saturday, they will draw level with Warriors at the top of the points table.

Their task won't be easy, though. South Australia found the resolve to bounce back from their defeat against Warriors, a game in which they were tactically poor. They made corrections in their next game, axeing the wayward Shaun Tait and one of their three spinners, to trounce Kolkata Knight Riders. Despite the impressive margin of their victory in that game, South Australia have the worst net run-rate in the group. They can take run-rates out of the equation if they win their last two games, and Michael Klinger will be hoping for another clinical show on the field.

Watch out for …

Barring his electric fielding, Roelof van der Merwe had done little of note in three seasons of the IPL. He has been inspirational for Somerset in this tournament, though, derailing KKR both in the qualifier and in the main draw with robust hitting and restrictive left-arm spin.

Daniel Christian was the surprise pick in the 2011 IPL auction, when he was snapped up for a whopping $900,000. He didn't live up to expectations for the Deccan Chargers, but has been impressive so far in this tournament. His change of pace and nagging lengths could prove a handful on the hard wicket in Bangalore.

Kieswetter and Buttler should walk back into the Somerset line-up, and the out-of-form Chris Jones, and Nick Compton are the most likely to miss out. South Australia looked a complete side during their victory against KKR, and won't want to meddle with that combination. They will, however, toy with the idea of giving Tait another go.

Stats and trivia

Quotes

"With the spinners, it's just a case of playing according to the ground and conditions. At home it works because mis-hits go straight down someone's throat, but on grounds like this, they go for a six."
Daniel Christian on why South Australia dropped one spinner against KKR

"Hyderabad is a home away from home for us. Three wins out of three is always good to take. We are definitely over the moon."
Alfonso Thomas' team will have to get used to different conditions in Bangalore