DCL Match Preview: Sledgehammer Asia vs Smashers

Smashers would be looking to reverse a losing streak, just like 22 Yards did last weekend. They come in underdogs against a strong, battle-hardened Sledgehammer Asia side that has played two successive dramatic, see-saw matches. Being underdogs, however, is not always a bad thing – Smashers get another chance to showcase the considerable talent they carry in their side and flip their campaign. We sense drama!

SMASHERS

FORM GUIDE

Match 1: Lost to Supertron by 78 runs

Match 2: Lost to Stallions by 7 wickets

Match 3: Lost to Ronnie Finance by 61 runs

Match 4: Lost to Amigos by 7 wickets

OVERVIEW

The fact is that Smashers would struggle to draw positives from their campaign so far, since they haven’t fired either as a batting or bowling unit. But cricket is a game where trends can be snapped and confidence recovered very quickly. If they look within, Smashers will find that their stronger department is their batting. In Roopak, Harnek, Dhruv, Abhish and Manav, they have the makings of a solid batting lineup.

The bowlers have made the mistake of either bowling too full or too short. They would want to land more balls on a good length and make the batsmen work for their runs. Simply, if Smashers play to potential, they have the resources to give their opposition a tough time and complete the win.

Bottom-line: The batsmen need to turn up. Harnek, one of the best batsmen of our previous tournament, is due for a big score

PERFORMANCE INDICATOR

Click here for the Smashers Performance Indicator, with a complete breakdown of their results, top performers in each match, and batting and bowling statistics.

SLEDGEHAMMER ASIA

FORM GUIDE

Match 1: Lost to SDS Tours by 96 runs

Match 2: Beat KEI Cables by 35 runs

Match 3: Beat Destructors by 1 run

Match 4: Lost to Tornadoes by 24 runs

OVERVIEW

Sledgehammer Asia are a disciplined bowling unit. For the best part of 3 matches, they have managed to throttle opposition batsmen. The problem is that the batting is over-dependent on the top order, particularly Imran and Amit. Both play the gaps very well, run hard, and rely on timing more than power. Both have been consistent, with left-handed Imran in particularly good form. Partho has also shown himself to be more than capable with the bat. The lower order is the problem. Against Tornadoes, once the top 4 were dismissed, the batting lost its fizz completely and it almost felt like Sledgehammer Asia abandoned the chase too soon. The Smashers bowlers would want to start hard and potentially exploit this opportunity.

All said and done, few teams play with the kind of intensity that Sledgehammer Asia have displayed in this tournament. They have defended totals of 165 and 155 (against KEI Cables and Destructors respectively), and in each of their last 3 games only 1 bowler conceded more than 9 an over. That is an excellent statistic, and a fair reflection of their bowling strength.

Bottom-line: Going by form, the Sledgehammer Asia bowlers have the might to contain the Smashers batting line-up for not much, but will the game play by script?

PERFORMANCE INDICATOR

Click here for the Sledgehammer Asia Performance Indicator, with a complete breakdown of their results, top performers in each match, and batting and bowling statistics.

Sledgehammer Asia have won both games batting first, and they would look to do the same, if they win the toss. Smashers should also look to bat and force their opponents to prove themselves in the chase.

Both sets of bowlers will go into tomorrow’s contest knowing they can exploit their opposition’s batting. If the team batting first can avoid an early morning collapse and set a 160+ total, they will probably walk away with the match.