Chennai the better-balanced team

Chennai Super Kings and Warriors produced clinical displays in their semi-final matches to set up a rematch in the Champions League final in Johannesburg. Suresh Raina had an inconsistent tournament until the semi-final against Royal Challengers Bangalore, but on the big day, he produced an attacking 94 off 48 balls which carried Chennai to a massive score. Chennai's bowling has been the finest in the tournament and a target over 170 in a rain-curtailed match was always going to be too much for Bangalore. In the second semi-final, Warriors, led by an another aggressive knock from their in-form captain Davy Jacobs and boosted by Nicky Boje's late blitz, posted 175 before stifling South Australia with accurate bowling.

Both Chennai and Warriors have won four of their five matches so far in the tournament. Chennai lost to Victoria in a Super Over, and Warriors lost a close game to Chennai, which enabled the IPL champions to make the semi-final. While Warriors have won two matches each while batting first and chasing, Chennai have not batted second in the tournament. All their wins have come batting first and so, in the event of a chase, they could struggle to overhaul a competitive target against a quality bowling side.

Chennai's batsmen have fired in the crucial games. The only time they were restricted to a score less than 150 was in their previous match against Warriors. They won the match, though, by defending 136. Their overall batting stats are good, but it is the bowling that has been exceptional. An economy rate of under seven and an average below 13 indicates how vital it is for the opposition to restrict Chennai to a reasonable score. Warriors have been superb too, averaging almost 30 with the bat and less than 22 with the ball.

In the Powerplay overs, Warriors are the best batting side by a distance. Jacobs and Ashwell Prince are the tournament's top opening pair, and despite Prince's failure in the semi-final, the top order scored at a rapid rate consistently. Michael Hussey is yet to settle into the opening role for Chennai, but M Vijay and Raina have ensured that the top order does not suffer too much.

Most teams have fallen away in the middle overs, but Chennai have been outstanding through this period. They have scored at almost nine runs per over and lost fewer wickets than most other teams have. Their bowlers have also maintained an excellent economy rate. Warriors, on the other hand, have been consistent with bat and ball, though scoring at a rate far lower than that of Chennai.

Chennai's bowling in the end overs has been outstanding and they average just over six per wicket with an economy-rate of slightly over seven. Their scoring-rate during these overs is nearly ten per over which is better than Warriors' rate.

Chennai have scored 258 runs in singles, the most among all teams, and hence have the lowest dot-ball percentage, followed by Warriors. Despite a high number of fours and sixes, Chennai's boundary percentage is lower than that of Warriors and most other teams. Rotating the strike and taking singles will be all the more important in the clash between two accurate and economical bowling attacks.

Jacobs, the leading run-scorer in the tournament, led the way for Warriors once again with 61 against South Australia. He has been involved in two century partnerships and, in the semi-final, his partnership with Colin Ingram set the foundation for a huge score. Vijay and Raina have been the rocks of Chennai's batting and came good in the important clash against Bangalore, putting on 81 for the second wicket. Chennai's middle order has not been tested as yet in the tournament and this could be a big factor in the final.

R Ashwin, Muttiah Muralitharan and Doug Bollinger are among the top bowlers in the tournament and their form significantly boosts Chennai's chances. Albie Morkel and Bollinger produced top spells against Bangalore, picking up early wickets, and a balanced attack is a huge plus for Chennai. Warriors also are a quality bowling side with fast bowlers Juan Theron and Tsotsobe leading the attack. The presence of quality spinners, including the economical Johan Botha and the experienced Nicky Boje, adds an extra dimension to the bowling attack. Chennai's pacemen and spinners average close to 13 while their Warrior counterparts average about 23, suggesting Chennai have a more potent, balanced attack.

The Wanderers' pitches have been the best to bat on throughout the tournament: the average runs per wicket and the run-rate are the highest among all venues. Teams have won there twice while batting first as well as while chasing. However, considering the excellent bowling strength of both teams, the team winning the toss would definitely want to bat first and set a competitive target.