Champions League T20 Cricket 2012: Semifinals Preview, CLT20 Championship Odds

With play in Group A and Group B concluded, it's time for the stars of the 2012 Champions League Twenty20 to get an opportunity to chase championship glory.

The matchups and dates for the semifinal matchups are set, and each of the four teams have reason to think they will come out on top. After eviscerating their way through group play with four consecutive victories, though, there is likely no team hotter than the bunch from Sydney.

Nevertheless, both the Sixers and Delhi Daredevils will have to avoid getting overconfident as the overwhelming favorites to meet in the final. 

Either way, both matchups should make for some scintillating cricket. With that in mind, here is a complete preview of the 2012 semifinal matchups, along with updated championship odds. 

Championship Odds (via Bovada)

Team	Odds
Delhi Daredevils	3/2
Sydney Sixers	2/1
Nashua Titans	9/2
Highveld Lions	5/1

Matchup Preview: Delhi Daredevils vs. Highveld Lions

When: Thursday, Oct. 25 at 11:30 a.m. ET

Where: Kingsmead, Durban

Watch: Watch ESPN

Key Performers

Virender Sehwag, Delhi Daredevils

At 34 years old, Sehwag is still one of the best batsmen in all of Twenty20, though he's been a little under the radar for much of this tournament.

Nevertheless, the folks at Bovada make him a 3/1 favorite to be the top scorer for Delhi on Thursday—and for good reason. Sehwag has scored a whopping 2,749 runs in 104 matches, and the right-hander is always dangerous for a breakout performance.

Aaron Phangiso, Highveld Lions

While he's certainly not the fastest bowler in the tournament, Phangiso may prove to be the breakout star if the Lions advance to the finals.

Phangiso, who bowls an orthodox, left-armed style, leads remaining bowlers with an 8.87 average and is tied for third overall with eight wickets.

With the odds stacked against the Lions, they will need a huge top-notch performance from their Star bowler. 

Matchup Preview: Sydney Sixers vs. Nashua Titans

When: Friday, Oct. 26 at 11:30 a.m. ET

Where: SuperSport Park, Centurion

Watch: Watch ESPN

Key Performers

Jacques Rudolph, Nashua Titans

The South African star has been fantastic throughout Twenty20 play and leads all batsmen in runs scored thus far with 171 in four contests.

That includes a high score of 83, which also leads by a pretty significant margin. The Titans are pretty heavy underdogs in their match against the Sixers, but if they manage to pull out the victory, look for a big scoring performance from Rudolph. 

Mitchell Starc, Sydney Sixers

For Rudolph to have an effect, he will have to create offense against Starc, who has been the best bowler of the tournament.

At just 22 years old, the Sixers bowler has burst onto the scene and has put up a tournament-high 11 wickets in four matches. He's also second among remaining players with a 9.45 bowling average.

Sydney will undoubtedly need Starc to continue his stellar play against Nashua on Friday to come away victorious.

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