Twenty20 / Andrew Hughes / 06 October 2011 /

Friday's semi-final features two teams packed full of big hitters and a wily old veteran. Andrew Hughes tells us why your money should be on the Australians.

New South Wales Blues v Royal Challengers Bangalore, Start 15:30 BST, Eurosport UK, New South Wales 2.1, Royal Challengers Bangalore 1.87

Team News
Bangalore switched things around after their opening defeats and have won both games since so Arun Karthik is likely to retain the gloves, although either of the spare bowlers Mohammed Kaif or Abu Mithun could come in for Raju Bhatkal.

New South Wales have been the most settled side in the tournament, having used only twelve players so far and with their team nicely balanced they won't want to change things at this stage. That means no place for internationals Phil Hughes or Nathan Hauritz.

Venue and Conditions
The M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore has provided a pretty good batting surface throughout the tournament and the tight boundaries make it a tough place to bowl, as demonstrated by the fact that three teams have already passed 200 there. The weather forecast is for cloud but no rain, so we should get a full game.

Match Odds
These two teams have much in common. Both made slow starts to the Group Stages, Bangalore losing their first two games and New South Wales winning a Super Over decider against Trinidad to keep them in the tournament. And both rely heavily on their big hitting top order. Chris Gayle has almost single-handedly dragged Bangalore to the finals, whilst David Warner is the main man for the Blues.

But whilst both have top order players capable of scoring big runs, the Australians have the edge with the ball. Veteran Stuart Clark has led the line impeccably, supported by teenage fast bowler Pat Cummins and spinners Steven Smith and Steve O'Keefe. By contrast, the poor form of Dirk Nannes mean that Bangalore depend almost entirely on Daniel Vettori and already this tournament have conceded three totals in excess of 170.

Although Bangalore are playing in front of their own fans, Twenty20 is the format in which home advantage is least important. The Royal Challengers may be on a roll after their last ball win on Wednesday, but the Blues have the better bowling attack and the sharper fielding and the men from Australia are the team to be on at [2.1]

Top Batsman
Chris Gayle has transformed Bangalore's fortunes since his arrival during the last IPL season, but with the other big names in the top three starting to find form, there could be more value in looking elsewhere. Preference is for Tillakaratne Dilshan who seems to have been freed up by surrendering wicket keeping duties and he should be available at around [4.0].

For the Blues, it is a straight choice between David Warner and Shane Watson, but with Watson not yet hitting top form, the sensible play is to side with Warner who should be around the [3.5] mark

Best Bet

Andrew Hughes says: Back New South Wales to win @ 2.1

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