It’s surely a venue that both sides would not be liking to play. Born and brought up on pacy and bouncy tracks, the Australians representing New South Wales and Victoria will clash against each other at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi this evening. The pitch at the Kotla for this 1st Semi Final of the Airel Champions League is going to be anything but ‘pacy’ and ‘bouncy’, batsmen on both sides would know that they are up against a huge struggle.

In a way, the Simon Katich-led New South Wales looks better than the Cameon White-led Victoria. NSW has a better success record here with the openers – Phillip Hughes and David Warner batting steadily and making sure that the team has wickets in hand for the slog. They also have an international quality attack which includes Brett Lee and Stuart Clark. Victoria on the other hand has lost to Wayamba at this same venue with the former even failing to chase a target of 119.

NSW has got to be the favourites to win this match but having said that Delhi has become such an unpredictable venue. It was only the other night that tournament favourites Cape Cobras crushed to defeat against the Delhi Daredevils despite chasing less than run-a-ball. Whatever it is, for the batsmen, its important to keep wickets in hand during the first half of the innings. Certain shots need to be kept locked in the cupboard, especially the horizontal shots. Batsmen would also be advised to play mostly on the frontfoot. As far as the bowlers are concerned, they need to attack the stumps often. The pace bowlers especialy have got to try and bowl short and use the cutters effectively. Spinners will have to use the slowness of the wicket to their favour.

Expecting a low-scoring affair at the Kotla again!

New South Wales Squad : Simon Katich (C), Aaron Bird, Doug Bollinger, Stuart Clark, Nathan Hauritz, Moises Henriques, Phillip Hughes, Simon Keen, Brett Lee, Steve O’Keefe, Ben Rohrer, Daniel Smith (WK), Steven Smith, Dominic Thornely, David Warner

Victoria Squad : Cameron White (C), Aiden Blizzard, Aaron Finch, Shane Harwood, John Hastings, Brad Hodge, Jon Holland, David Hussey, Andrew McDonald, Bryce McGain, Clint McKay, James Pattinson, Rob Quiney, Peter Siddle, Matthew Wade (WK)

Tags: hampions League Twenty20 2009, New South Wales, Victoria