Key match-ups, analysis, form, team news, weather forecast, tickets, TV and streaming information, odds, predictions and more ahead of the latest encounter in the 2023 ILT20
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders face Gulf Giants in match three of the ILT20 2023.
Start of play is scheduled for 2pm local time (10am GMT) on Sunday, January 15.
The game was be played at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket ground in Abu Dhabi.
Knight Riders suffered a heavy defeat against a strong Capitals side. Sunil Narine, as he so often does, was the pick of the bowlers with 1 for 28 off his four overs.
Paul Stirling was one of only two players to reach double figures with 54 off 38 balls and will look to carry this form into the remainder of the tournament.
Giants have yet to play in the first season of the ILT20. However, experienced coaches Andy Flower and Ottis Gibson will have the side well prepared for their opening encounter.
Captained by James Vince who comes of the back of another successful Big Bash campaign will be hoping for a strong start with the help of countrymen Ollie Pope, Tom Banton, Richard Gleeson and Tom Helm.
Andre Russell (MARTIN KEEP/AFP via Getty Images)
Andre Russell was not at his destructive best in the opening game, making a run-a-ball 12. In his recent spell at the Melbourne Renegades, he showed glimpses of the brutal striking that has made him one of the most sought-after T20 players in the world.
A typically slow pitch with short boundaries straight at the Sheikh Zayad Stadium will play into Russell's strength.
The Giants' bowling attack predominantly relies on the new ball swinging in order to take wickets which could leave the door open for a destructive cameo in the final overs from Russell if they are unable to prise out dismissals in the powerplay.
David Wiese, another journeyman of the T20 circuit, will look to hit the ground running for the Giants. An all-rounder who displays similar aggression to Russell will try to provide heavy hitting late alongside a handful of overs with the ball.
Wiese’s most recent overseas stint came in the Abu Dhabi T10 league which was played at the Sheikh Zayad Stadium, where he struck 43* off 18 balls in his final outing. He will be looking to target the pace of Marchant De Lange and the aforementioned Russell.
A sunny day is forecast, with highs of 23 degrees Celsius around the start of play.
Knight Riders are expected to be unchanged as they look to register their opening win of the campaign.
Chris Lynn isn't yet available for Giatns, meaning England's Vince and Tom Banton will likely open the innings. Namibia's Gerhard Erasmus and David Wiese are expected to feature.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Sunil Narine (c), Andre Russell, Paul Stirling, Lahiru Kumara, Charith Asalanka, Colin Ingram, Akeal Hosein, Ravi Rampaul, Raymon Reifer, Kennar Lewis, Ali Khan, Brandon Glover, Sabir Ali, Matiullah Khan, Zawar Farid, Fahad Nawaz, Marchant de Lange, Dhananjaya de Silva, Connor Esterhuizen, Traveen Mathew
Gulf Giants: Shimron Hetmyer, Chris Jordan, Chris Lynn, Tom Banton, Dominic Drakes, David Wiese, Jamie Overton, Richard Gleeson, Rehan Ahmed, Liam Dawson, James Vince (c), Qais Ahmad, Ollie Pope, Aayan Khan, Sanchit Sharma, CP Rizwaan, Ashwant Valthapa, Tom Helm, Gerhard Erasmus
*Squads are for the whole ILT20 and not specific to this match
David Wiese (Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Colin Ingram, Paul Stirling, Brandon King, Zawar Fadrid, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Connor Esterhuizen, Akeal Hosein, Fahad Nawaz, Ravi Rampaul, Marchant De Lange
Gulf Giants: James Vince, Tom Banton, Ollie Pope, Wayne Madsen, Gerhard Erasmus, David Wiese, Liam Dawson, Dominic Drakes, Qais Ahmed, Chris Jordan, Richard Gleeson
Knight Riders are narrowly the favourites with 8/11 compared to the yet-to-play Giants with 11/10.
Abu Dhabi's heavy loss in the first game means they'll be relying on a strong start with either bat or ball. Stirling and Ingram at the top of the order hold the key to their success and without their runs, could see the Gulf Giants off to a winning start. Away Win.
Tickets are available on Platinum List. Child tickets are available for just $2.81 while adult tickets start at $8.42.
ZEE have obtained the broadcast rights for the ILT20 on a long-term deal.
All 34 matches will be aired across the company's 10 linear channels, with coverage provided in more than 10 languages, including English, Hindi and Tamil, as well as on ZEE5 Global.
In the UK, Zee TV can be accessed via channel 709 on Sky and channel 809 on Virgin Media. Every match will also be available via BT Sport (TV/online/app) following a deal betwee the broadcaster and Zee.
Elsewhere in the world, the full tournament will be available via Zee Cinema (SD/HD), Zee Anmol Cinema, ZEE Thirai, Zee Bangla Cinema, Zee Zest (SD/HD), &Pictures, &Flix, and ZEE5.
Posted by Radders on 14/01/2023 at 16:53
Very interesting, we’ll see how it goes
Posted by Lucy Jane on 14/01/2023 at 15:57
An easy read 👏🏼
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