Find Me A 100 Winner / Alan Dudman / 27 April 2009 /

The unbeaten Delhi Daredevils will be looking to make it four wins on the spin in Pretoria on Tuesday, and can take another step closer to the semi-final stages with victory against the reigning champions, writes Alan Dudman.

Team news

Delhi, led superbly by captain Virender Sehwag, have been very solid so far with wins against Kings XI, Superkings and Royal Challengers. The key to success at the moment seems to be any number of matchwinners stepping up to the plate on the day. So far, we've seen messrs Vettori, de Villiers and Dilshan turn games in a flash - whose turn will it be next?

The Daredevils main strength is the top four in their batting. If Sehwag or Gambhir don't get you, then de Villiers or Dilshan will. New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has
led the way in the bowling department - with his six wickets so far coming at only [13.16]. Aussie pacemen Dirk Nannes has also shaped up nicely, and put in an excellent shift against RC Bangalore.

Sehwag is unlikely to tinker too much with a team that hasn't lost a game. Legend Glenn McGrath hasn't featured as yet, nor has English duo Paul Collingwood or Owais Shah. And we're still waiting to get a glimpse of Australian batting sensation David Warner.

Although leg-spinner Amit Mishra started his first 2009 IPL game on Sunday - it's unlikely Delhi will go with two spinners on the pace friendly Pretoria pitch - and he could make way.

Meanwhile, last year's success story the Rajasthan Royals, have already lost a couple of games and appear to be missing all-rounder Shane Watson - who really was their go-to man in 2008.

Shane Warne's side made a real mess of their batting on Sunday against Punjab, and were a tad fortunate to win their 'super over' victory against Kolkatta - who really choked at the crucial time.

The Royals batting seems to be a problem at the moment. The top four look vulnerable - with neither Graeme Smith, Rob Quiney and Swapnil Asnokdkar troubling the scorers, and all have failed to give the team a decent start in the four games so far.

On the bowling front, 18-year-old Kamran Khan has been the find of the tournament. Raw, slingy and quick, he held his nerve superbly at the death against Kolkatta, and Warne's joy at the emergence of the youngster was a sheer delight to see.

Warne has so far left out South African paceman Morne Morkel, and now moving North with the bouncier tracks on offer - expect Morkel to come in for his first start in this year's IPL.

Venue and pitch conditions

Supersport Park, Centurion is one of South Africa's newest Test venues, and a ground that players describe as having the best facilities around. Tuesday's weather forecast is for a fairly sunny day, with no rain expected.

Don't expect a raging bunsen (bunsen burner = turner) here. Over the years, Centurion has never been known as a spinners paradise, which could pose a problem regarding team selection as spin has been a key factor in the games so far.

The deck is known to be pretty quick, in fact one of the quicker surfaces in South Africa, whilst the outfield is a fast draining one and is always fairly lush and fast.

Having only ever staged one T20 international before - it is virtually impossible to gauge what a par score for the ground is. However, looking back at stats of recent ODIs in Pretoria, the scoring rates have never been electric (averaging 4.94 runs per over), whilst run totals have been mixed.

Fast bowlers have been favoured in recent seasons, whilst the side batting second has enjoyed a greater success than those first up.

Match odds

Unsurpisingly, the unbeaten Delhi trade as favourites at [1.62], which is a fairly decent price considering they are available to back at [3.90] to win the tournament.

Rajasthan are [1.87], and probably would be bigger if it wasn't for the 'Warne factor'.

Top Bat

Delhi's AB de Villiers is the standout here. The South African is in the best form of his career and already has smashed a century in the tournament. Just as good on the backfoot as the front, the pacier surface at Pretoria (where he has a decent record in ODI's) should play to his strengths.

Rajasthan's all-rounder Ravi Jadeja has had to bail out the fragile top four a couple of times already, and he could be interesting at a decent price if wickets fall early.

Featured Market

With the poor form of Rajasthan's openers at the moment, the market that looks particularly appealing is the 'Delhi v Rajasthan - Opening Partnership' one. I expect plenty of fireworks from Gambhir (who hasn't got going yet) and Sehwag - who'll both relish the ball coming on to the bat.

Rajasthan just can't get a lead at the top of the innings, and with Graeme Smith looking ropey at the moment, I would be looking to take them on with a lay.

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