Michael Klinger has scored back to back half-centuries in the games against the Highveld Lions and the Mumbai Indians. He has shown an exciting streak of aggression, which is uncharacteristic given his prolific form in the Sheffield Shield, where a more sophisticated type of player comes out. Despite a few critics pointing fingers at him at the start of the season in the longer form of the game, he rarely goes down without a fight and showing his class to back his abilties. To do it now in Twenty20 cricket is equally brilliant, especially when the Redbacks are up against some of the worlds finest T20 outfits. He’s lead the way strongly with 128 runs to his name, with a highest score of 78 (a powerful onslaught from him against the Lions) and has cleared the rope with 8 sixes! He’s going big to get the job done.
Dan Harris looked scrappy and uncomfortable in the 1st game, but joined Michael to set the best foundation you could ask to take the battle to Mumbai. Dan scored 56 runs at a rapid rate.
Callum Ferguson had a good comeback with yet another forty (47), so even though it wasn’t for Australia, he did what he does best…miss a half-century. It was a great moment seeing Fergal back in action, even if it was just in the venomous Red! A typical display by Fergal, with square shots finding the gaps in the field to either find the boundary or set him up to run like a mad dog!
Dan Christian and Tom Cooper had an important partnership against Mumbai, which really was an outstanding game for entertainment value…the fielding was pathetic on the other hand, especially by Mumbai Indians, but having seen a fair bit of the IPL, you expect the fielding to be well below standard.
The bowling department have been fighting the expected T20 difficulties. Shaun Tait has been finding some decent pace and has 4 wickets to his name. It didn’t take Taito long to bag a wicket in the opening game! It’s special to see him leading the Redbacks bowling unit after all he went through two years back. Pace, pace and more pace is his key in conditions where should get some assistance from the tracks.
Dan Christian has been very economical as has Aaron O’Brien, but the Redbacks have been poor at times with gifting the opposition full tosses and peachy half-volleys. Poor Cullen Bailey is in the wilderness with his bowling radar at the moment. Fortunately the guys have another chance to try rectify the minor issues they face, but one can’t be overly critical of bowlers in T20 cricket.
Graham Manou has been tidy with his glovework. He had one drop catch in the opening game but his reflexes are looking good for the better part of things and he had one particular stumping that was executed so well! Text book stuff.
The Redbacks are looking damn awesome and I'm really proud of the boys. Hopefully they can still lift their game. I admit it was amusing seeing Kieron Pollard take them to the cleaners for Mumbai after he was a key player in the walk to the finals against The Bushrangers in the KFC Big Bash.
Speaking about the Bushrangers, they had a depressing start to their sophomore effort in the Champions League. They batted poorly up top, well, maybe that’s harsh. They were outdone by some top class fielding and bowling that didn’t allow guys like Rob Quiney and Brad Hodge to make some room and play the ball away to their preferred zone. Whether the Warriors did their homework, I’m not sure, but it was well executed.
However, they were better against the Stags, lead by the only Kiwi player whose career I have really had a genuine interest in and that is Jamie How.
After Jamie played one hell of a good innings to score 77 unbeaten runs opening up the batting, it was just outclassed by the Aaron Finch show in the end as Aaron set sights on turmoil and destruction against the Central New Zealand team.
93* from 60 deliveries with 11 fours and 3 sixes. Looks good on paper, was even better seeing the way he went about his innings! Great to see Finchy get some good time out there and show the world that he’s got a lot to offer as an emerging young batsman! A score like that in T20 cricket is always something to be admired, even if it is something like Yusuf Pathan would deliver...not always stylish but it's contagious to watch when he gets settled.
Besides Finchy, David Hussey was the only other guy to really make some kind of an impact with the bat, but in the game Dussey tried to steer his side back on track, the rescue mission failed. Should the Vics get their campaign on track (their recent game was a testament to this), watch out for the Dussey!
Can’t rule out the likes of Hodgey, Matt Wade and I don’t cast a shadow over Andrew McDonald for some reliable, invaluable contribution with the bat or ball.
Nice to see Peter Siddle send down some overs and get 2 wickets. Match time is important for him now that he's back in the mix.
What are your thoughts on the tournament thus far?
In all honesty, I have only followed the games the Redbacks and Bushrangers have participated in, so I would like to hear your views.
I’m still counting down the days to the Indian tour, but good to have some cricket again.
To see Stapo’s latest article regarding Steven Smith and the heavily debated Haddin/Paine scenario, click here (Smith) or here (Haddin/Paine) or scroll through the archives.
For more intense coverage of the Champions League and another strong supporter of the South Australian Redbacks, head over to Wes’ blog for some write-ups.
I’m just stoked to see the Redbacks killing their prey in tactful ways! They need key performances to stun the opposition to go all the way. I wouldn't rule out the Vics to make some wild comeback.
16/09/2010 Article by Ian (Twitter)
Michael Klinger has had a screamer of a start in his leadership role and opening stance for the Redbacks in the Champions League!
Image: © Associated Press, Courtesy of Cricinfo.com
3 comments:
Hey Ian,
Nice story mate. Good to see the Redbacks flying the Ausssie flag. I am really happy to see Cal Ferguson back but he does need a hundred hey to get his confidence up to what it could be.
For the Vics I am really glad that Peter Siddle is back he is really important to the Australian team so hope he gets picked for the ODI's in India next month. We need him back in the test team soon to.
I have only watched the Aussie teams play as well so far but hopefully they can both make the final. Would love to see that.
I hope Matt Hayden gets back into the runs as well soon (he only got 10 yesterday) but I guess its hard when hes only a part-time player these days.
Hi Ian this is one very fine and accurate analysis of the Redbacks campaign and I am wondering how you are able restrain your emotions like this. I am totally going bonkers about the RB campaign, maybe it's because you live in Oz and can go to their matches but for me it is the first time that I can actually watch them, hence also my headless-chicken-blogs! I am utterly delighted about Klinger, he is sort of underrated but you don't bag the State Player twice for no reason, I think he is like a bar of dark chocolate filled with liquid creamy coffee filling at the moment. Cricket-wise. The promotion has really fired him up.
Christian simply has to be in fine nick after the FP T20 win with his county club, where he played a, umm, vital role haha. I am glad to see him take wickets. He's earned a couple of extra special mentions on my blog this (Euro-) summer simply because he is such a hard labourer who always sacrifices his life for his team in all departments of the game to an extent that is foreign to many players. He has sneaked into my personal hall of fame unnoticed, what a fine example of determination and application.
Fergs still has a bit of work to do but he is showing very promising signs. The bowling relies heavily on Tait, which had to be expected, but the others have started to chip in well, it's a bit too patchy for my liking but I am confident they will get in the flow. The next match could be a vital one, I wish it had been Guyana so that the Redbacks would have the chance to face Bangalore with 3 wins under the belt. But it's Bangalore first, so... I wish them good luck!
The Vics have a monster of a match against CSK on Saturday... there's gonna be blood, much blood...
To answer your question, my favourites for the final are *currently* Warriors (Botha, Boucher and Co.) and CSK (in case you watched them deconstruct the Lankans last night... ouch)
Cheers,
Wes
~ Play For Country Not For Self ~
Wes, all I can say is that is one mighty long and emotional post. haha! I did give a link to your site you know ;)
Nah it really has been outstanding, but I will go on with praise if the guys can take their fight to the bigger stage. That is where my confidence in this team lies and where I believe they can make a huge impact. Until they get there (and the Vics) I will remain analytical.
Yeah you rate Dan quite highly. He hasn't had a proper opportunity for Australia yet at T20 level but if he can continue to do the typical all-rounder thing it will only make him a brighter prospect.
Fergal will be fine. Don't doubt him one bit. It's T20 so a good zone to get him back into his natural game. Time to play his shots while urgency rests on his shoulders. He'll be back in the ODI come the summer.
'The Vics have a monster of a match against CSK on Saturday... there's gonna be blood, much blood...' haha! True and let's see how they go. If the batsmen perform and Haydos has another blunder, it's the Vics all the way.
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