CLT20 2014: Kings XI Punjab vs Hobart Hurricanes - 6 players to watch out for

The tournament proper of the 2014 CLT20 got off to a brilliant start, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) edging out Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 3 wickets in a nail-biting encounter yesterday. The 2nd match of the tournament sees Kings XI Punjab and Hobart Hurricanes, both of whom finished second in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Big Bash League (BBL) respectively, go head to head in what should be an enthralling battle between two evenly-matched sides. Unfortunately, however, the Hurricanes will be missing their captain George Bailey, who ironically will be coming up against the Hurricanes today after having chosen to play for the Kings XI in the CLT20. Here are 6 players to watch out for from today’s clash:

#6 Cameron Boyce

Leg-spinner Cameron Boyce, who was the second highest wicket-taker for the Hurricanes in the BBL last season having taken 10 wickets from 6 games, could turn out to be one of the surprise packages of the CLT20.

Boyce, who likes to give the ball a big rip, has been bubbling under the radar over the last couple of years, and this might just be the platform he needs to make himself believe that he belongs at the top level. He was described by former Australian off-spinner Ashley Mallett, in 2011-12, as the best leggie he had seen in first-class cricket since Shane Warne, and it is now up to Boyce to live up to that billing.

The fact that Boyce will be getting the opportunity to bowl on spinner-friendly pitches during the tournament, which he seldom gets to do back in Australia, should help him greatly in that endeavour.

#5 Tim Paine

The Hobart Hurricanes skipper Tim Paine was, at one point, earmarked as Australia’s gloveman across all formats of the game once Brad Haddin calls time on his international career. But a nasty finger injury in early 2011 ruled him out of cricketing action for almost two years, and it’s been a long road back for the baby-faced right-hander ever since then.

Paine, however, has stuck at it, and his aim of forging a long and successful international career might still come true. For now, though, Paine will only be concentrating on taking the Hurricanes as far as possible in the CLT20.

In Bailey’s absence, Paine, who with 235 runs from 10 matches was the second highest run-scorer for the Hurricanes in the BBL, will have to take the responsibility of batting through an innings, which will in turn give the likes of Travis Birt and Ben Dunk the license to go hammer and tongs right from the outset.

#4 Ben Dunk

Ben Dunk might not be too far off from getting into the Australian T20 side in the near future provided, of course, he can bring some consistency into his T20 game. He was named BBL Player of the Tournament last season after having scored 395 runs from 10 matches at an average of 43.88 and strike-rate of 145.75 and helped Hobart Hurricanes reach the final.

Originally from Queensland, Dunk’s dazzling strokeplay in the BBL led to Mumbai Indians picking him up at the IPL auctions, and he was also called in as a replacement player during the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

As in the BBL, the onus will very much be on Dunk to get the team off to a good start at the top of the order and rack up big runs on the board. This is a must especially in the first game with the Hurricanes coming up against a batting-heavy unit, in Kings XI Punjab, consisting of the likes of Virender Sehwag, Glenn Maxwell and David Miller.

#3 Akshar Patel

Akshar Patel’s progress over the last few months has been nothing short of remarkable. Kings XI coach Sanjay Bangar, who keeps a close eye on Indian domestic cricket, decided to take a punt on the unknown yet hugely talented all-rounder at the IPL auctions, and his gamble has paid off massively. He took 17 wickets in the IPL at an economy rate of 6.13, superior to even that of Sunil Narine, and also made a few handy contributions with the bat lower down the order.

He was then handed his debut for India during the ODI series against Bangladesh in June and also travelled to Australia for the India A tour, where his 9 wickets in 6 games and 45* off 36 balls in the final helped India A win the quadrangular tournament.

The CLT20 will be yet another challenge for the 20-year old, with teams having monitored Akshar’s strengths and weaknesses closely in preparation for the tournament. But there is no doubt that he has enough ability to step up to the plate and continue his rapid progress as a cricketer.

#2 David Miller

David Miller, who was one of only two players to be retained by Kings XI Punjab last season, is undoubtedly one of the most exciting T20 batsmen in the world today. He came to the fore with a sparkling innings of 101* off just 38 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) during the 2013 season, and he hasn’t looked back since.

He scored 446 runs from 16 games at an average close to 45, thereby playing a critical role in Kings XI’s ascent to the IPL final, and a similarly productive CLT20 campaign might just see Kings XI go one better. He can be as destructive as Maxwell when in full flow, but unlike Maxwell, he can also consolidate and play according to the situation when required.

#1 Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell was one of the standout players of the IPL last season, scoring 552 runs from 16 matches at an outstanding strike-rate of 187.75. Purchased by Kings XI for a fee of Rs. 6 crore, making Maxwell one of the costliest buys during the last IPL auction, there was a huge amount of pressure on him going into the IPL. But he more than lived up to the soaring expectations as he put up match-winning performances, especially in the early part of the tournament, and helped Kings XI reach their first ever IPL final.

With Kings XI’s CLT20 campaign about to get underway, Maxwell will have to reproduce his IPL form in order for Kings XI to have serious hopes of reaching the business end of the tournament. Despite his tendency to blow hot and cold due to his extremely aggressive approach, he shouldn’t be discouraged from continuing to play with a positive outlook as it can work wonders for Kings XI if he comes off.