CLT20 2014: Top 5 bowlers of the tournament

Although the Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20) has had its fair share of critics, it has to be said that the sixth edition of the tournament was a success overall, with the quality of cricket played – for a major part of the tournament – being of a very high standard.With the nature of the format inherently favouring the batsmen, the CLT20, by and large, has seen the batsmen enjoying an upper hand over the bowlers, and it was no different this time around. A few of the bowlers – most notably Sunil Narine – did, however, enjoy some success, not just in keeping the runs down but in also taking wickets, which is a great credit to their skill and ability.Here are the top 5 bowlers of the edition:

#5 Akshar Patel

Akshar Patel’s rise to prominence in a matter of just 6 months has been nothing short of exceptional. Before the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2014, Akshar had played just a few First-Class and List A games for Gujarat and was hardly known outside the domestic circuit; Kings XI coach Sanjay Bangar, however, decided to take a punt on the all-rounder, and it has paid off brilliantly.

After taking 17 wickets in the IPL at an economy rate of 6.13, even better than that of Sunil Narine, he has followed it up with 8 wickets from 5 matches at 6.15 in the CLT20, which just goes to show his undying control over line and length.

What has been most impressive about Patel’s CLT20 showing is the fact that, in the absence of lead bowler Mitchell Johnson, he has shown the willingness to take responsibility and bowl during the Powerplay and death overs despite being just 20 years old.

#4 Ashish Nehra

Ashish Nehra’s time as an international cricketer might have come to an end after the 2011 ICC World Cup, but he will do his reputation no harm if he continues putting up the kind of performances that he did during the just-concluded CLT20.

Lacking a reputed overseas fast bowler in their ranks, the Super Kings were banking on the experienced Nehra to come good, and he certainly didn’t disappoint. The 35-year-old took 10 wickets from 5 matches at an average of 15.30 and gave his side some crucial breakthroughs throughout the tournament with the exception of the final.

His standout performance came in the very first game, against Kolkata Knight Riders, where he took 4/21 off his 4 overs. His opening spell, in particular, saw him at his old best as he came charging in at brisk pace and had figures of 3-0-7-3, dismissing Manvinder Bisla, Gautam Gambhir and Manish Pandey for scores of 2, 6 and 0, respectively.

#3 Joel Paris

Considering his performances in the CLT20 for Perth Scorchers, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if 21-year-old left-arm fast bowler starts laying claim to higher honours very soon. Paris, who is in the mould of New Zealand’s Trent Boult, bowls at around 140 kmph on a consistent basis and has the ability of bringing the ball back into the right-hander: a priceless gift for a left-armer.

Paris finished the tournament with 7 wickets from 4 games at an economy rate of just 5.76 despite the fact that he bowled almost all of his overs either during the Powerplay or towards the end of an innings. Another remarkable aspect of Paris’ displays in the tournament was the fact that he struck in the first over of his spell on all but one occasion, thereby helping the Scorchers put pressure on the opposition early on in the game.

#2 Ben Hilfenhaus

Ben Hilfenhaus might be a traditional swing bowler suited more to the longer formats of the game, but he certainly came to the fore during this tournament. Although Doug Bollinger, his opening partner, ended up taking 9 wickets – one more than Hilfenhaus, the latter gets the nod for taking his wickets at a relatively miserly 6.75.

Hilfenhaus, who last featured in the shorter formats for Australia back in 2012, might have forced his way back into the thinking of the Australian selectors with his performances, especially considering the brittle nature of a lot of their younger bowlers at the moment.

#1 Sunil Narine

It would be fair to say that the CLT20 final between Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings, which saw the latter chase down the target of 181 with 8 wickets and 9 balls to spare, would have been a lot closer had Sunil Narine not been suspended from playing in the final. The off-spinner had taken 12 wickets from 5 games up to that point at an outstanding economy rate and average of 5.30 and 8.83 respectively, and, despite missing the final, he finished up as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.

It’s no coincidence that since Narine joined the Knight Riders, in 2012, they have won 2 IPLs apart from reaching this year’s CLT20 final, which illustrates the huge influence he has had in their success.

Looking ahead, being reported for a suspect bowling action would have dented Narine’s confidence without doubt, and he will have to work hard if he is to clear doubts about his action. But he has the fortitude, in my opinion, to overcome this setback and continue being an integral part of the Knight Riders’ and West Indies’ future.