Knowing "CHAMPIONS LEAGUE T20 " Team Part-2

SUSSESX SHARKS

The Sussex County Cricket Club is probably the one with the strongest connection with the sub-continent. From the regal Ranjitsinghji and Nawab of Pataudi to Pakistan's most charismatic captain, Imran Khan, the county boasts of a rich lineage.

After successes in the longer version of the game, the Sussex side finally toppled the much fancied Somerset County Cricket Club in the domestic Twenty20 Cup. With all-rounders Dwayne Smith and Luke Wright filling the ranks, Sussex Sharks might just turn out to be the big fish of CLT20.

 

DIAMOND EAGLES

Diamond Eagles have been the most successful cricket team in South Africa since the inception of the franchise system for all domestic competitions. It is the other team apart from Cape Cobras to represent South Africa in the Champions League.

Apart from the Titans, they're the only South African league to have won all three domestic trophies in the course of the past four seasons and have had five trophy successes altogether. The Eagles have a number of home-grown players in their squad. Although they do not possess a Cricket SA contracted player at present, that has not always been the case. Boeta Dippenaar plays for the Eagles.

VICTORIA BUSHRANGERS

Judged purely on form, Victorian Bushrangers are one of the top contenders to win the CLT20 2009. The Bushrangers are an Australian team based in Melbourne and represent the state of Victoria. They were winners of the first three editions of the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash that took place in 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08.

Captain Cameron White has the reputation of being a big hitter in the T20 domestic circuit.The Bushrangers' key batsmen are Brad Hodge and David Hussey, while Peter Siddle and Bryce McGain share bowling honours. It remains to be seen how the side, which has been dominant in the domestic T20 circuit over the past four seasons, will fare against the world’s best clubs in CLT20 2009.

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE

Royal Challengers Bangalore, like Deccan Chargers, had ended up at the bottom of the table in the inaugural edition of DLF IPL. Both met in the final of IPL 2009 in South Africa. Anil Kumble led RCB with great heart, but was unable to win the title.

Kumble’s most impressive virtues as a cricketer - grit and determination - came to the fore in South Africa. And he will be hoping to continue the good work in this year’s Airtel Champions League Twenty20 tournament. Royal Challengers Bangalore lost four of their first five matches in IPL 2009, but made a startling comeback to make it to the semi-finals.

DELHI DAREDEVILS

Delhi Daredevils have a number of genuine match-winners in their squad. They boast of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir at the top of the order while wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik beefs up the middle-order. Tillakaratne Dilshan has been a revelation in this format.

The England batsmen, Paul Collingwood and Owais Shah, are two of the canniest, most versatile limited overs batsmen to come out of county cricket in the past decade. England T20 skipper Collingwood and AB de Villiers of South Africa lift up the fielding while bowlers Daniel Vettori and Amit Mishra, India's latest leg-spin find, keep the opposition in check.

SOMERSET SABRES

Continuing in their glorious tradition, Somerset Sabres have managed to break new ground over the last few years. Long after the likes of Sir Viv Richards, Sir Ian Botham and Joel Garner have finished their careers, the club is still home to some big successes.

The formidable opening pair of skipper Justin Langer and Marcus Trescothick has scripted many a win for the side. Langer & Co. failed to repeat their 2005 success in the Twenty20 Cup this year, but now comes the big opportunity in the inaugural Airtel Champions League Twenty20 competition.

NEW SOUTH WALES

The New South Wales cricket team, or the Speed Blitz Blues, is one of the most high profile teams in the Airtel Champions League Twenty20 contest consisting of eight centrally contracted players by Cricket Australia. Based in Sydney, the team competes in the first-class competition, the Sheffield Shield, the Ford Ranger Cup (limited-overs cricket) and the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash.

It is widely believed that if the New South Wales team is strong, cricket in Australia is blooming. Australia’s icons and international cricketing royalty, Sir Donald Bradman, Richie Benaud, Steve Waugh and Glenn McGrath, have played first-class cricket for New South Wales. The Speed Blitz Blues have won the first-class competition 44 times and the one-day domestic cup nine times.