CLT20 2014: 5 players to look out for in KXIP v Northern Knights clash

After suffering their first loss in the competition, at the hands of Hobart Hurricanes, Northern Knights will be looking forward to getting their campaign back on track. However, in Kings XI Punjab, they face a tough opponent in a must-win game making the fixture an interesting one. On the other hand, Kings XI will be keen on confirming their berth in the knockouts with a win over the Kiwi side adding more spice to the second match of the double header today at Mohali.

#1 David Miller

David Miller looked in his elements in the last match, scoring an unbeaten 46 off 34 deliveries to get his team past Barbados Tridents in a high-scoring affair. The South African is not just someone who can cash in during the later stages of the innings with his brutal six-hitting abilities but play according to the demands, as well.

The death bowling of Northern Knights was taken to the cleaners in their last game against Hobart Hurricanes, and there is no reason why Miller can’t replicate what Aiden Blizzard did.

#2 Tim Southee

Tim Southee didn’t particularly end the last match well, conceding 22 runs in the last two overs. While not so exceptional at the death, his real strength lies up front with his ability to swing the new ball. The 25-year-old right-arm seamer can be expected to test the Kings XI openers who are known to go for risky, aerial shots early on in their innings.

#3 Kane Williamson

Chasing 179 against the Hurricanes, Kane Williamson had to come good for the Knights to make a match out of it; he didn’t and the team was bundled out for 92. The right-hander is in a rich vein of form, scoring the fastest century in CLT20 history, which came off 48 balls against Cape Cobras in their first Group B match. He can be expected to dominate the Kings XI new ball bowlers who lack penetration and then take on the spinners, as well.

#4 Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell showed signs of his IPL form in the side’s opening fixture, against Hobart Hurricanes. Coming in at 2 down, he could take Ish Sodhi and Scott Styris for plenty and change the course of the match. Knights captain Daniel Flynn will be forced to bring back Southee or Boult in an attempt to get rid of him, thereby risking being vulnerable at the death against the likes of Thisara Perera and George Bailey.

#5 Akshar Patel

Primarily a left-arm spinner, Akshar Patel showed his potential with the bat when he took on Ravi Rampaul scoring 19 off 5 deliveries in the penultimate over of the last match: his 23* off 9 balls took the game away from the opposition that looked favourites to win it at a point of time. The 20-year-old, however, was off colour with the ball, giving away 42 runs in 4 overs and will be looking to put that behind, as his 4 overs will be crucial in deciding the fate of the game.