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Rampaging Sixers look to seal CLT20 final berth

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Press Trust of India Centurion

Sixers are the only side to have won all their four group matches and they are the most all-round team in the tournament with balance in batting, bowling and fielding departments.

The Australian side had virtually spanked all their opponents in the first three Group B matches and the only time they had been put to test was when they clashed with last year's champions Mumbai Indians in their last league game.

That match was played without the recent World Twenty20 Player-of-the-Tournament Shane Watson who had been called back by his Board to prepare for the home series against South Africa.

 

But in that match also, their bowlers, who have been in impressive form, stifled the star-studded Mumbai batting order to restrict them to 124 and ensure that the Sixers remain unbeaten and go into tomorrow's semifinals high on confidence.

Watson and Michael Lumb have been in explosive form at the top of the other, giving two 50-plus stands for the opening wicket in three matches they were together.

The middle-order of Nic Maddinson, captain Brad Haddin and Steven Smith have been supporting the openers well. Moises Henriques has also been in fine form, showing what a fine all-rounder he has been in the shortest format.

The only weak point, if there is any, for the Sixers is the spin department with their main slow bowler Simon O'Keefe having got just one wicket from the three matches he had played. But, the Sixers have relied heavily on their pacers to get the results and they have been doing just that.

The Titans, however, will have the advantage of crowd support as they are playing at their home ground tomorrow.

  

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First Published: Oct 25 2012 | 12:55 PM IST

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