TWENTY20 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL NSW VS TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
We are finally down to the last two teams remaining in the premier edition of the Twenty20 Champions League. After seeing none of the much-vaunted IPL sides make it near the final, many pundits are agreeing that these have been the best two sides throughout the tournament.
UK bookmaker Ladbrokes has listed New South Wales as the 1.61 favourites to win the match with Daren Ganga's T&T side listed at a 2.2 price. They have been behind in the odds at many periods in the Champions League, but Trinidad & Tobago always seem to defy them and secure victory within the last few overs.
Many expect this to be a battle of the structure and discipline of New South Wales- a team that boasts some of the best bowling talent in test cricket, let alone the limited overs format. Both teams possess dynamic openers and I expect them both to put up big totals quickly.
The important thing to remember is that T&T have already beaten NSW in this tournament, one of the finest matches I've seen in my lifetime, let alone this tournament. T&T play some of the most dynamic and adventurous stuff there is and I think that their middle order is the workhorse that never seems to get the credit. Dwayne Bravo played sparkling stuff in the semi-final and he won't be looking back.
David Warner and Phil Hughes are the favoured runscorers for New South Wales, both listed at 3.75. Simon Katich has put in some quality knocks and he is available at 5.0. Moises Henriques and Daniel Smith can be backed at 7.0.
Adrian Barath and Darren Ganga are the favoured runscorers for T&T alongside Dwayne Bravo at 5.0. William Perkins and Lendle Simmons are at 5.5 while Darren Bravo trades at 7.0.
I think NSW have the quality to win and the players to do it, but I firmly believe that this T&T side can chase down any total and if their bowlers are on their game, they can match NSW stride for stride. I will be backing T&T to win, but I will likely double up my bet during the in-running betting at Ladbrokes.