Eight exquisite highlights of CLT20 2013

Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) and Otago Volts

T&T’s direct entry into the tournament was well deserved after having to go through the qualifying rounds in the previous two seasons of the CLT20. Absence of Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and Kevon Cooper was expected to dent T&T’s chances of progressing further in the tournament. But, thanks to their ‘never say die’ attitude and astute leadership qualities of Ramdin, T&T gave a good account of themselves.

The outright victory over CSK in their last group game must have got them rejuvenated but, the game against MI was always going to be a formidable one. Their only potent threat in the bowling department was Sunil Narine who took 3-17 and dragged the game but a target of 154 was never enough and an opening stand of 90 runs meant Mumbai could afford to play out Narine. All and all, it was a good campaign as far as T&T were concerned.

Otago Volts’ previous stints in the CLT20 were huge debacles and they failed to get through to the group stages. This time under Mcculum, Otago Volts found a new lease of life and won all their 3 qualifying games including the thrashing of Sunrisers Hyderabad and slotted themselves in Group A along with Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Perth Scorchers and Highveld Lions. They won their respective games against Scorchers and Lions and the game against Mumbai Indians was washed out which left them with 10 points from 3 games and a win against Royals was necessary to write their own destiny.

But, a hard-fought bowling performance against Royals went in vain, which meant that they needed MI to lose to scorchers or win by a slender margin. But, MI took it upon themselves and did the needful to book the flight for the team from kiwi land. But, to go with all this, Jimmy Neesham’ exploits was a huge positive to come out of the tournament for the Volts. The all-rounder’ performances with the bat and the ball were one of the notable ones as far as this edition of CLT20 was concerned. Both T&T and Otago Volts for the distinctive accomplishments that they have been capable of find themselves in the last spot in the list of eight exquisite highlights of CLT20 2013.