Champions league 2008 underdogs Middlesex Crusaders are in tough Group A and may find it difficult to reach semi-finals in this inaugural edition. Its performance in the recent Stanford series was also disappointing. Middlesex is the winner of the England’s domestic Twenty20 cricket tournament and is said to be weakest among the eight teams that are participating in the Champions League 2008 T20 Cricket tournament. Middlesex is grouped along with strong teams like Chennai Super kings, Pretoria Titans and Victoria Bushrangers.
Statement of the day: “We are happy for being the underdogs and we will perform well and will give shock to the favourites.” – Shaun Udal, Middlesex captain.
Middlesex will take on favourite Victoria Bushrangers in the inaugural match on December 3rd in Mumbai. Middlesex is the only representative from England as Kent is disqualified.
Happy news for Middlesex: England coach freed Owais Shah to play for Middlesex in the Champions League 2008. He is in good form and scored a superb half century in the 4th one day (22 overs match) against India. He terrorised Indian bowlers and almost took the match away from Indians under the most testing conditions. He is a player to watch out for in this Champions League.
Middlesex will play without Dick Nannes as he represents his home side Victoria in this Champions League. Dick Nannes played crucial role in their win over Kent in the final of the domestic T20 cricket tournament.
Middlesex opponents Pretoria Titans will play without their ace spinner Paul Harris after fracturing his left thumb whilst playing for South Africa against Bangladesh.
IPL teams advantage:
According to IPL rules, teams can have 4 overseas players in their teams. According to England T20 rules, only one overseas player can play for their club. According to Champions League rules, teams should play with the same squad that played in their domestic tournament. So IPL teams can play with 4 world class squads while Middlesex can have only one.
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