Birmingham's lack of spin has really hurt them here. Every other side has opened with spin against Superchargers - Lynn in particular - (usually left arm spin) and duly had success. But Birmingham only have two front spinners in their entire squad (which looks like a massive oversight), and one of them is in the test squad. Tahir, like most leggies, is more dangerous with men on the boundary. So unless Livingstone opened with himself, they had to open with pace.
Some PP that. Problem Birmingham have is the Superchargers have nothing to play for so will be more relaxed and will go for it.
I reckon they're miles ahead in the comparison of where they were when they made 200 here last time. I think they were "only" on about 130 or 140 with 20 balls left.
It's the flip side of having to play for. The likes of Willey and Thompson placed no value on their wickets, because the result doesn't matter. Just try and have some fun, and if it doesn't come off who cares. That said, it's also greatly helped Birmingham that they at last went to slow bowling.
It's possible. But against, in my opinion, the best batting line-up in the competition, I'd have wanted another 20 runs to defend. Particularly given that Superchargers are pretty bare in the seam department. Birmingham will kick themselves if they lose this.
TCK faced just 14 of the last 47 balls (covering the entire loss of all eight wickets). Just goes to show how the different rules - 10 balls in a row, and no crossing on a catch - can really assist the bowling side, by keeping on in-batter stuck at the other end, and then losing all momentum.
