CLT20 Qualifier 3: Otago Volts vs Kandurata Maroons - Five players to watch out for

After a resounding win over Faisalabad Wolves in the opening match, HRV Cup (New Zealand’s domestic T20 tournament) winners Otago Volts will look to continue the winning momentum as they take on Sri Lanka’s Kandurata Maroons in the third qualifier in Champions League T20 today.

The Sri Lankan T20 champions, despite a fluent batting display against Sunrisers Hyderabad last night, were simply unable to defend their total against a rampaging Shikhar Dhawan. They will have their hands full in order to curtail similar thunderous performances from the explosive Brendon McCullum, who demolished Faisalabad Wolves single-handedly.

It’s the bowling that has been a let down for the Maroons. The likes of Kulasekara and Ajantha Mendis struggled against the left-handers, so McCullum might be tempted to drop himself down the order in order for the youngsters to have a go.

In all likelihood, this promises to be a cracker of a contest, with both teams desperate to seal their spots in the tournament proper.

Here are five players who can change the complexion of the game by their sterling performances:

Shehan Jayasuriya (All-rounder, Kandurata Maroons)

FILE PHOTO: Shehan Jayasuriya during the first day of a three day practice match between the Sri Lanka Development Emerging Team and Bangladesh at the Uyanwatte Stadium in Matara on March 3, 2013.

He shares his surname with one of Sri Lankan cricket’s legendary opening batsmen, and it is no wonder that Shehan has chosen to be an all-rounder just like the ageless Sanath Jayasuriya.

The 22-year-old has shown the ability to drop anchor at one end and attack when the situation needs it – a key factor in his side’s victory in the Super 4’s Twenty20 tournament. Shehan has got all the shots in the book, though he couldn’t display his wares against the Sunrisers.

His off-breaks are not exactly interspersed with variations, but he was able to dismiss the free-scoring Parthiv Patel without too much fuss. Still, he can be one of the key performers for the side, and will look to do one better against the Volts today.

Dhammika Prasad (Pace bowler, Kandurata Maroons)

FILE PHOTO: Dhammika Prasad bowls during training. Prasad’s pace would be useful in Mohali’s helpful conditions

Dhammika Prasad caught the public’s eye in 2008 when he grabbed three prize wickets of Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid during the first Test of India’s nightmarish tour of Sri Lanka. His raw pace, the ability to hit the deck hard and mastery over swing and seam make him one of the key strike bowlers in the Maroons’ line-up.

The 30-year-old has been in and out of the national squad owing to injuries and a decline in form at the most inopportune times, but on each occasion, he has risen like a phoenix.

On a lively track in Mohali, he can provide just that extra yard or two of pace and accuracy that his team missed in the first game.

Prasad can also hit the ball a long way, a trait that has carried forward from his early days as a top-order batsman for his school. He will be an excellent choice if the Maroons are to stay alive in this competition.

Thilina Kandamby (Batsman, Kandurata Maroons)

FILE PHOTO: Thilina Kandamby during the first One Day International match between England and Sri Lanka at The Oval Cricket Ground in London, on June 28, 2011.

The portly left-hander reminds one of former SL skipper Arjuna Ranatunga in more ways than one. Kandamby hasn’t exactly lived up to his early potential, having made his international debut for Sri Lanka way back in 2004. He has often been criticized for his slow scoring, but seems to have re-invented his batting style in the shortest format.

Post the 2011 World Cup, after Lankan cricket was in turmoil, Kandamby returned to the one-day side as vice-captain and even led the T20 squad against England after Tillakaratne Dilshan was ruled out due to injury. He has been a thorn in the side for the Indian team at times, defiantly holding up one end.

For the sake of stability, Kandamby will be a good choice lower down the order, especially if Thirimanne and Sangakkara are dismissed early. It remains to be seen how he can cope with the conditions on offer.

Michael Bracewell (Batsman, Otago Volts)

FILE PHOTO: Michael Bracewell of the Otago Volts bats during the one day semi final match between Auckland and Otago at Colin Maiden Park on February 9, 2011 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Hailing from a rather impressive cricketing pedigree – his uncles John and Brendon, and cousin Doug played for the Black Caps at the international level – the left-handed Michael Bracewell is a fine addition to the Volts’ squad.

Young, energetic and enthusiastic, Bracewell is an aggressive player who bats much like his idol, the former Aussie wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist.

After Brendon McCullum and Derek de Boorder, the 22-year-old is the third glovesman in the squad, and has played a pivotal role in his side’s run to the HRV Cup title in 2013.

His innings of 63 against Auckland in March this year highlighted his growing maturity and importance to this side, and the Volts will look to him for a thunderous innings down the order if required.

Nick Beard (left-arm spinner, Otago Volts)

FILE PHOTO: Nick Beard during the HRV T20 Final match between the Otago Volts and the Wellington Firebirds at University Oval on January 20, 2013 in Dunedin, New Zealand.

The young bowler impressed one and all with his variations and ability to extract turn from lively pitches as he took 15 wickets in the HRV Cup, thus piloting the Volts to the title earlier this year.

Beard, who turned 24 a couple of days ago, is an exciting future prospect for the New Zealand national side, especially in the spin department, which would be bereft of subtlety once Daniel Vettori decides to call it a day from all forms of the game.

He is also a useful lower order batsman, with a top score of 188 to his credit in the first class arena. The Volts will look to him to replicate his heroics as they seek to gain a spot in the knockout stages of the CL T20.