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Ken Borland



T20 cricket not an exact science, but planning is paramount 0

Posted on May 07, 2013 by Ken

 

T20 cricket may not be an exact science given the abbreviated nature of the game and the increased role luck can play, but heading into the 10th edition of the domestic franchise competition, the six teams taking part will have a good idea of how they want to approach the tournament.

The 2012/13 T20 Domestic Cup will not be featuring the Impi this year, reverting back to the six-team format of the previous eight seasons. Qualification for the lucrative Champions League will once again ensure the participants will not be approaching the competition without detailed planning.

Dave Nosworthy has been one of the most successful T20 coaches, claiming the 2004/5 Pro20 title with the Titans and steering the Highveld Lions to two finals in 2009/10 and last season. He also won New Zealand’s T20 competition with Canterbury in 2005/6 and Sri Lanka’s Premier League in 2012 with Uva Next, and is part of the Punjab Kings XI coaching staff in the IPL.

He says the six franchises will be going into the competition with very clear plans.

“The key to being successful in T20 is pre-planning – how to use your players in specific roles and the coach and selection convenor need to be communicating about that well in advance. If you go rushing into the competition without proper preparation, you’re going to come undone. In fact, throughout the season, coaches should be getting their players to execute their roles, grooming them well in advance. It’s a mindset thing as much as anything and you need to build that up,” Nosworthy says.

So fast bowlers will be using their yorkers and slower-balls during the Sunfoil Series and Momentum One-Day Cup, while batsmen will be grooving their paddle-sweeps and inside-out drives over the covers.

“It’s always tough because a T20 match can go either way very quickly. But if you don’t have a plan or a process, not even a World XI will win.”

When it comes to selection, Nosworthy is voting for continuity rather than chopping and changing sides game for game.

“Stability is important for the players and I’m a massive fan of building confidence, which you won’t have if players are in and out of the team. A successful team is a settled team. You need a stable batting order, with two guys to take on the powerplay and two finishers, while you need bowlers for the death, the middle overs and the front of the innings,” Nosworthy says.

But teams also have to be able to adapt to rapid changes in circumstance in the fastest-moving version of the game.

“You have to allow for flexibility as well and I don’t think there’ll ever be one right way of playing T20. Every team has a dynamic make-up and just one change alters that dynamic. There are key factors in twenty20, but not one way of playing it, you have to be able to adapt, it’s a forever changing environment. If something’s not working on the day, maybe you need to bowl your spinner at the death for instance … ”

Although Nosworthy has enjoyed T20 triumph in three different countries, he says he does not have his own personal secret of success.

“There are definitely formulas, but they are unique to the specific team in terms of how the players complement each other and the balance of the side. You need to cover all the bases and your strategies develop over time, which is why continuity is important,” he says.

The Nashua Titans won the MiWay T20 Challenge in 2012 and their coach, Matthew Maynard, keeps an eager eye on developments in the T20 game both in England, his home country, and Australia.

“We have a certain style of play and it is a successful formula. The key is using what statistics highlight to your advantage and we certainly take things from both the United Kingdom and the Big Bash. Our scores are very similar to those in the UK, there are a lot of similarities in how the game is played, and we also get data from the Big Bash and you don’t see the patterns change too much,” Maynard says.

Maynard says the key factor for him in preparing his team is that the players cannot have any doubt in their minds as to how to react to a certain match situation.

“It’s important that the guys are very clear on what they want to achieve on a certain delivery. If there’s any doubt over whether they should bowl a yorker or a bouncer, then there’s a good chance they’re going to get hit out of the park. Execution is obviously also important, because you can’t afford to be a yard off with your yorker or bouncer.”

The former England batsman agrees with Nosworthy that the players need to be sure of the role they are expected to play.

“Getting the roles sorted is key, you need to know at the start of the competition which players are going to do what. That’s why continuity is very important.

“And the more potential match-winners you have, the better. You need a lot of guys who can strike the ball out of the park and bowlers to open and at the death, plus guys who have the character to come back strongly. The difference between the longer formats and T20 is how much difference one man can make,” Maynard says.

The one man Maynard is probably thinking of is Alfonso Thomas, the Titans, Adelaide Strikers, Dhaka Gladiators, Dolphins,  Pune Warriors, Somerset and Perth Scorchers seamer, who led the West Australian franchise into the Big Bash final and was probably the best pace bowler in the competition behind Lasith Malinga.

Thomas took 12 wickets in eight matches and had an economy rate of just 6.24.

“The Scorchers lost their first couple of games but then won six out of their last seven to reach the final. Alfonso made a massive difference for them because he has a very skilful game,” Maynard said of the 36-year-old who hit a six off the last ball of last season’s local T20 playoff against the Knights to force a SuperOver, which he then won with an outstanding six deliveries.

Although the local party’s not quite ready to challenge the Big Bash extravaganza, that was won by the Brisbane Heat, and will be missing the national players until the closing stages, there will be overseas stars in action and one should not forget that the Proteas are still trying to settle on an outfit that can win the ICC World Twenty20 in Bangladesh in just over a year’s time.

So when the national selectors go into caucus to pick T20 players, what are they looking for?

It is not just a matter of whoever scores the most runs or takes the most wickets being chosen, according to Corrie van Zyl.

“We look at the performances on the field and under what circumstances they took place. International cricket is about pressure and how you handle it, so we’re looking for players who can handle the big moments and turn them into winning moments for their team.

“We want players who win matches for their teams, taking crucial wickets or how they use the new ball or bowl against big-hitters, or how they bat in the last couple of overs. It’s about who’s best under pressure. It might not be the person who took the wickets that gets the votes, but the bowler who created the pressure,” Van Zyl says.

While the franchise teams are settled outfits that don’t show major changes from the teams that play in the other two formats, the national selectors have over a hundred franchise players to choose from, so they can be forgiven for not always sticking to the same plan.

“We’re limited to 18 players at the franchises so it’s a lot more work getting the roles right, what suits each player best. But at international level, they can choose the method they want to use and then the individuals that have the tools to implement it,” Maynard explains.

Maynard will be hoping his team are over their awful Sunfoil Series run as the chasing pack will show the defending champions no mercy with the rich loot on offer for Champions League qualification.

The likely absence of AB de Villiers, Morne Morkel, Faf du Plessis, Farhaan Behardien and Henry Davids means the Titans will be relying on the likes of David Wiese, Albie Morkel, Heino Kuhn and Mangaliso Mosehle to provide the spark.

The bizhub Highveld Lions are probably the favourites to make up for losing in the 2011/12 final, given the way they played in the Champions League and the Momentum One-Day Cup.

“The Lions must have a really good chance of performing well again judging by their recent performances, especially in the Champions League. They’re obviously good at the T20 format, but the others are all dangerous too,” Nosworthy believes.

The Chevrolet Knights came within a whisker of the final last season and will boast an experienced bowling attack, while the Sunfoil Dolphins look a revitalised outfit under the fresh coaching of Lance Klusener.

The Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras have a formidable outfit on paper, with the explosive batting of Richard Levi, Justin Kemp and Dane Vilas, the strokeplay of Stiaan van Zyl and the finishing skills of Justin Ontong, complemented by a pace attack boasting both experienced campaigners and exciting youngsters.

The Chevrolet Warriors seem to be regaining the form and confidence that made them one of the toughest teams to beat a couple of seasons ago. They could potentially field one of the strongest bowling line-ups in Birch, Parnell, Theron, Ntini, Gqamane and Harmer, while the batting will revolve around Colin Ingram and the rejuvenated Davey Jacobs.

The possible T20 imports

 

Azhar Mahmood – Just a couple of weeks away from his 38th birthday, but a much sought-after T20 star, having already turned out for the Sydney Thunder, Auckland, Punjab Kings XI, Kent and Barisal Burners of the Bangladesh Premier League in the last year.  Canny seam bowler and a powerful hitter who smashed three Test centuries against South Africa.

 

Ravi Bopara – Did some amazing things with bat and ball for the Dolphins in the 11 matches he played for them in 2010 and will return for a second stint, but this time for the shortest format. In and out the England team, many have decried his treatment, while others criticise his attitude. Not invited to the Big Bash, but a good showing in our tough T20 competition will go a long way to earning him more respect.

 

Loots Bosman – Franchises are a little confused as to how to get the best out of Bosman but the Knights are going to give it another go. One thing is certain, crowds are going to be entertained if The Hammer gets going: he is one of the cleanest, hardest hitters of the ball around and has scored over 1500 T20 runs.

 

Lasith Malinga – Whoever has managed to get the Sri Lankan superstar to sign a contract has the best bowler in T20 cricket, ever. Malinga has it all: deadly yorker, changes of pace, skiddy bouncer, swing and speed; the ability to strike up front and extremely difficult to get away at the death.

 

Dirk Nannes  – Took a while to get settled and did not play in last season’s final, but the tall Australian will be received back with open arms by the Lions. Has the ability to deliver thunderbolts, slower balls and get late swing.

 

Owais Shah – Returning for the third time for the Cobras and will be eager to regain the batting form that helped them to the 2010/11 title, when he scored the most runs in the competition– 293 at an average of 73.25, strike rate 147.23.

 

Sohail Tanvir – The Lions are backing their unorthodox left-armer to not be chosen for the Pakistan squad on tour at the same time as the domestic T20. Conditions will assist his preference for swing and seam, while Tanvir is also not shy of showing aggression with the ball.

 

Alfonso Thomas – The Titans were obviously going to re-engage the services of the hero of their playoff match against the Knights last season. One of the most sought-after bowlers in T20, thanks to his mastery of swing and changes of pace.

 

 

Titans clinch victory in a super over 2

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Ken

The Nashua Titans had middle-order dasher Farhaan Behardien and pace bowler cum late hitter Alfonso Thomas to thank as they beat the Chevrolet Knights by 13 runs in a super over in their MiWay T20 Challenge qualifying playoff at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Sunday.

http://www.supersport.com/cricket/domestic-t20/news/120325/Titans_clinch_victory_in_a_super_over

The victory not only sees the Titans advance to the final against the bizhub Highveld Lions next weekend at the Wanderers, but also gains them an entry into the financial bonanza that is the Champions League.

The Titans were chasing a moderate 145 for victory and were yet again facing charges of slipping at the final hurdle as they crashed to 67 for five before Behardien (37) and Albie Morkel (25) took them within sight of victory, only for a lower-order collapse to leave them needing 13 runs off the final over to win.

Thomas missed the first three balls of left-armer Jandre Coetzee’s over, launched the fourth over wide long-on for six, missed the fifth again and then hammered the final ball for six over midwicket to secure an extraordinary tie and the super over.

The Titans batted first in the super over and notched 19 runs off Johan van der Wath, including a six and a four by Behardien, both swashbuckling strokes through extra cover.

Thomas, who has played 133 T20 matches for five different franchises, is as well-versed in the dark arts of T20 cricket as anyone and has the composure and smarts to pull off the biggest swindles on the field. Having done it with the bat, he then kept the Knights duo of Morne van Wyk and Rilee Rossouw to just six runs in their super over.

In a match of many twists and turns, Van der Wath, still one of the best bowlers in the country, had seemingly won the game for the Knights as his new-ball burst of 3-15 reduced the Titans to 29 for four.

Ryan McLaren, another bowling all-rounder who should still be in the international picture, made the initial breakthrough with the scalp of Henry Davids for a duck in a maiden first over.

Van der Wath bowled the other opener, Heino Kuhn, for 12 when the batsman missed a pull at a fullish delivery, before the fiery pace bowler produced a top-class third over that included a double-strike.

Roelof van der Merwe (10) miscued a lofted drive to deep mid-on and, two balls later, Faf du Plessis (6) edged a full away-swinger to give a catch to wicketkeeper Van Wyk and a crucial breakthrough for the visitors.

Martin van Jaarsveld (24) and Behardien added 38 off 30 balls to steady the innings and Behardien and Morkel had tilted the balance back in the Titans’ favour with their stand of 53 off 43 deliveries that left them needing 26 runs off the last three overs.

But the Titans suffered another sad collapse as they lost three wickets for 13 runs in the next two overs, all three of them weak dismissals.

Facing the slow seam of Coetzee, Morkel skied a full toss to deep midwicket, where Aubrey Swanepoel had to latch on to a steepling catch. The big-hitting left-hander hung his head as soon as he hit the ball, departing the scene after hammering two sixes off 21 balls.

David Wiese fell for a single, plonking the ball straight down long-on’s throat, Coetzee ending his penultimate over with figures of 3-13.

SENSATIONAL CATCH

Behardien then fell with 14 required off seven balls, depositing a low full toss in the hands of long-off, Van der Wath finishing with outstanding figures of 4-24.

 

Coetzee then bowled the final over with the Titans needing 13 to win and 12 to tie, and Thomas swung and missed at the first three balls, and the penultimate delivery. But balls four and six were in the slot and Thomas, who is not available for South Africa and classified as a white player due to CSA shenanigans, duly put them away for maximums.

The Titans were on fire in the field and accurate with the ball as they restricted the Knights to 144 for six

The Knights, having been sent into bat because the Titans prefer chasing on their home turf, were on their knees on 89 for five after 13 overs, but McLaren stuck around long enough to provide a decent finish to the innings with his great effort of 42 not out off 28 balls.

The early pressure on the Knights came from the fielders, not the bowlers, as the first three wickets fell to superb catches.

The free-scoring Rilee Rossouw had blazed his way to 16 off 10 balls when he swung Ethy Mbhalati low and flat to the deep square-leg boundary, but Van der Merwe came haring around and dived to take a super catch. On any other day, it would have been the catch-of-the-match, but Morkel stole the limelight with two even better efforts of his own.

Thomas had just come back on from the West Lane End when Van Wyk (10) mistimed a drive off the bottom of the bat and Morkel, on the circle at deep mid-on, dived to his left to take a great catch.

The Knights were just starting to get back on top again as Reeza Hendricks and Dean Elgar added 46 for the third wicket off 40 balls, and the left-handed Elgar must have felt he had collected a nice Christmas present boundary when he bashed left-arm spinner Van der Merwe straight down the ground. But that was before the advent of the flying Morkel, who ran round from long-on and dived full-length to take a miraculous one-handed catch just inside the boundary rope.

The sensational catch meant Elgar was out for a composed 17, and a top-class delivery from off-spinner Eden Links then accounted for Hendricks three balls later.

Hendricks, a fine young talent, had scored a polished 35 off 30 balls when Links ripped a delivery from outside off stump into his leg-stump to beat a drive.

The outlook looked even more gloomy for the Knights when Ryan Bailey (6) was incorrectly given out lbw sweeping at leg-spinner Du Plessis, having bottom-edged the ball into his pad.

Not even a sixth-wicket stand of 47 off 38 balls between McLaren and Werner Coetsee (15) could dampen the confident, expectant atmosphere at SuperSport Park, with wicketkeeper Kuhn pulling off a sharp stumping to dismiss Coetsee and give Van der Merwe his second wicket.

Van der Merwe finished with 2-39, but fellow spinner Links was the best of the Titans bowlers with 1-20 in his four overs.

The consistent Thomas bowled well to finish with 1-27, while Mbhalati took 1-11 in two overs with the newish ball.

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