Northern Districts:
They beat Otago, last year’s representatives from New Zealand, to make their first Champions League appearance. To acclimatise to Indian conditions, the squad had trained in Bangalore since the start of September. Inputs from the likes of Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Kane Williamson would also come in handy. They were slow to embrace T20s, as five wins in their first three seasons suggest and were mostly stuck in mid-table tussles until their maiden HRV cup triumph in 2014.
How they qualified: By batting the opposition out. Six of their eight wins came about with the help of totals above 174, including a 40-run mauling of three-time champions Auckland. They had a rickety time chasing though, which had almost been exploited in the final. Though the target was 144, Northern Districts were 24 for 3 before Daryl Mitchell and BJ Watling resurrected the chase.
Strengths: Daniel Flynn, their captain, Daryl Mitchell and Daniel Harris were among the top-five run-gettersand were key to the side’s average run rate being 8.14. Boult and Southee shoulder the responsibility of early wickets and curtailing late runs to add to the side’s balance.
Weaknesses: Ish Sodhi is the only specialist spinner from the squad after Daniel Vettori had to pull out. In his stead comes uncapped 22-year old left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner. Anton Devcich provides additional assistance, as does Trent’s brother Jono Boult. In conditions where slower bowlers tend to fare better, Northern Districts will want all their spinners performing at their best levels.
Watch out for: Daryl Mitchell enjoyed a strike rate of 143.61 while ticking off 270 runs in 10 matches. Hebegan the season with a face-saving 88 against Central Districts to turned 19 for 3 to 200 for 4. He provides the impetus in the middle order and will need to assist in his side bettering their record in chases.
How Northern Districts Qualify For Group Stage Matches CLT20 2014
