Friday, 13 May 2016

DCL Plate Semifinal Preview: Amigos vs Mac’s CC

Mac’s CC played Amigos during the league phase and had them on the ropes, but at that point they did not look like a side who believed they could win that match. It is a different team now. They destroyed SDS Tours, before manhandling KEI Cables in the quarterfinals. Big wins give big confidence, so if Amigos are expecting the same team they beat during the league stage, they are in for a surprise.

MAC’s CC

FORM GUIDE






OVERVIEW

Mac’s CC has the best opening pair in the tournament. Shyam is one of the top run getters of the DCL, and against KEI Cables Hemant came out of his partner’s shadow with one of the most responsible innings of the season. On a tough wicket, he played solid, sensible cricket, scoring 58 not out and seeing his side through to a 7-wicket win.

We have seen that the two complement each other really well. Shyam is an attacking stroke-player, while his partner is happy to cut the risks, drop a single and give him the strike. Hemant plays sedately but he does not eat up deliveries. He is always looking for singles to give his partner the strike, and he has the skill to put bad balls away for boundaries.

Mac’s CC would be heartened by the fact that they finally got a solid middle order contribution in their quarterfinal. Akash played a match-turning 34 not out, giving evidence that there is more depth in the Mac’s CC line-up than we had initially seen. They will need that depth if they are to challenge the tournament’s best bowling attack.  

It is no mystery that Mac’s CC are a very good fielding side, and most of their bowlers are capable of holding their nerves, lines and lengths under pressure. Off-spinner Sonu has been their best bowler in the tournament, and his contribution will be vital. Amigos like to go after the bowling, but here they are up against a team who will not give them too many easy balls and who are also able to hold their catches.

PERFORMANCE INDICATOR


AMIGOS

FORM GUIDE






OVERVIEW

In their quarterfinal against Tornadoes, the Amigos batsmen showed their versatility. On a bowler’s day, Mohit and Rahul Rana put away their big shots and won that match with classic cricket. We know that Amigos can play the big shots, but they can also gun down tricky chases in good bowling conditions. This makes them formidable.

If we talk of their bowlers, we are talking of the best in the tournament. They have bowled out all 5 teams they have played. The most runs they have conceded is 128 (22 Yards). Ritesh Dahiya is currently the top wicket-taker in the tournament (12 wickets, 14.1 overs, average – 4.83). He is a crafty spinner who mixes up quick off-breaks, vicious leg-break and blistering yorkers. The pair of Rahuls (one a genuine right arm quick and the other a left-arm spinner) have 8 wickets each, and they round up the tournament top ten. The rest of the unit is really capable too, including captain off-spinner Varun. Without an obvious weak link to target, Mac’s will have to produce solid batting and be sharp to pick up anyone who’s having a weak day.

PERFORMANCE INDICATOR


In their last game, Mac’s CC showed that they have the ability to raise their level against a good team, and coming into this match, they don’t lack anything in motivation. They have punched above their weight already. They have nothing to lose, and if they play like that, Amigos will have their hands full. Mac’s, however, are up against one of the best teams not only in this tournament, but anywhere at this level of cricket. Amigos come to win, and expect to win every match they play. It is a classic ‘underdogs vs champions’ setup and it is never easy to predict a match such as this!


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