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Somerset look to continue winning run
High-flying Somerset will look to stretch their winning-streak in the Champions League Twenty20 tournament when they cross swords with unpredictable South Australia Redbacks in their group B contest at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore on Saturday.
Somerset will start as favourites, though South Australia Redbacks would be beaming with confidence inspired from their Big Bash league triumph recently and thrashing Kolkata Knight Riders in the last match.
Although the Australian outfit did not have a great start to their campaign as they lost to Warriors in their opening match, they came back strongly against the Knight Riders to register a convincing victory.
Unlike their opponents, Somerset has maintained their winnings streak, recording victories in two of their qualifying round matches with ease.
The English champions had defeated Auckland Aces and Kolkata Knight Rider in the qualifiers. Proving that their victory over Gautam Gambhir's side was not a flash in the pan, Somerset once again defeated the Knight Riders to launch their campaign in the main draw on a positive note.
Thomas has led his team brilliantly
Led by Alfonso Thomas, Somerset has improved with each outing, the players backing each other in dire situations.
Roelof van der Merwe and Peter Trego have been in excellent touch, helping Somerset post challenging totals. All-rounder Van der Merwe will be the man to watch as the left-arm spinner has the knack of picking wickets when it really matters.
Fellow spinners Arul Suppiah, Murali Kartik and medium pacer Peter Trego have also proved their abilities in the past. A talented fast bowler himself, Thomas will expect another brilliant performance from his boys.
Cullum Ferguson, who has been in good nick
The Michael Klinger-led Radbacks may not have big names in their ranks but they have players who can produce the goods, as they did during their 19-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders.
The onus will be on Cullum Ferguson, who has been in good nick. He had made a punishing 70 not out against Knight Riders.
Michael Klinger, Daniel Harris, Cameron Borgas, Daniel Christian and Tom Cooper are other batsmen who can be game changers on their day.
Teams (From):
South Australian Redbacks: Michael Klinger (C), Aaron O'Brien, Adil Rashid, Callum Ferguson, Cameron Borgas, Chadd Sayers, Daniel Christian, Daniel Harris, Gary Putland, James Smith, Kane Richardson, Nathon Lyon, Shaun Tait, Tim Ludeman and Tom Cooper.
Somerset: Alfonso Thomas (C), Alex Barrow, Nick Compton, Adam Dibble, George Dockrell, James Hildreth, Chris Jones, Murali Kartik, Steve Kirby, Craig Meschede, Steve Snell, Arul Suppiah, Peter Trego, Roelof van der Merwe, Gemaal Hussain.