Chennai Super Kings face Central Stags 3rd match in Airtel Champions League

It’s the battle of the champions as IPL winners Chennai Super Kings take on HRV Cup title holders Central Stags.

Saturday, September 11, 2010. The game begins at 5.30 pm, SAST. Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, Durban

About the teams

The Chennai Super Kings are one of the big name teams in CLT20 2010. With stars like Doug Bollinger, Suresh Raina and Matthew Hayden at their disposal, MS Dhoni will be all set to deliver a power-packed performance against the Stags in their CLT20 opener.

The Central Stags on the other hand are depleted by the absence of their power players Jacob Oram, Ross Taylor and Graham Napier. But just like the Kiwi national team, the Stags will be quietly confident of their ability and look to topple the applecart against the Super Kings.

Key players

Well begun is half the job done and CSK will be relying on the sheer class and quality that opener Matthew Hayden brings right at the top of the batting order. The veteran Aussie is no stranger to South African conditions and his domineering style of play always manages to intimidate even the best of bowlers. The southpaw is in decent form too after scoring 53 retd. in a warm-up match against the Dolphins.

The Central Stags have a real uphill task on their hands against the Super Kings, but the Stags have their own talisman to turn to. Peter Ingram is a class performer and will probably dictate the Kiwi side’s fortunes in CLT20 2010. And his prodigious talent was amply displayed during their warm-up match against RCB where the right-hander scored 63, albeit in a losing cause.

With group A as tough as nails, neither team would like to fall behind on their semi-final hopes. A loss would mean the next game becomes a must-win situation and both CSK and Central Stags wouldn’t like to be in that position of insecurity after just one match.