Cape Cobras vs. Northern Districts: CLT20 Date, Live Stream, TV Info, Preview

South Africa’s Cape Cobras begin their Champions League T20 campaign against an in-form Northern Districts side on Friday.

Venue: Chhattisgarh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur

Dates: Friday, September 19

Start time: 15:30 a.m. BST (8 p.m. local time)

TV and live stream: STAR Cricket (India), Ten Sports/PTV Sports (Pakistan), SuperSport (South Africa), Eurosport (UK/Europe), Sky TV (New Zealand), Network Ten/Fox (Australia), CSN/Star Cricket (Sri Lanka), Star Cricket (Bangladesh), ESPN (USA and Caribbean), Willow Cricket (USA)

Weather: The weather has been somewhat dodgy in Raipur recently, and Friday will be no different. AccuWeather.com forecasts some scattered showers and the possibility of a thunderstorm right as play is about to start. It could be a frustrating day at the office for both teams.
 

Overview

The Cobras are in a heap of trouble before they have even stepped on the field. They will be without Beuran Hendricks, Dale Steyn and Graeme Smith and have also been dealt a blow with JP Duminy ruled out through injury.

It means they will have to make do with a somewhat slapdash team. While there is plenty of experience in Justin Ontong, Justin Kemp, Charl Langeveldt, Hashim Amla and Robin Peterson, the batting is very thin, and with the way Tim Southee and Trent Boult have been bowling, things could get messy.

The good news is that the Cobras do possess one of the brightest young talents in world cricket. Dane Piedt, who recently made his international Test debut, is a wonderfully crafty spinner who will be perfectly suited to Indian conditions. Despite the fact that he played just one domestic T20 for the Cobras last season, after his recent Test outing, it seems inconceivable that he will not be given a game.

Other than Amla and Ontong, though, the Cobras will struggle for batting prowess. Richard Levi is part of the team, but his form is often erratic. Youngster Stiaan van Zyl, who has been tipped for future international success on a few occasions, also forms part of the team. However, Van Zyl has not played competitive cricket since South Africa's domestic season ended in April. While he certainly has talent, lack of match practice might be somewhat of a hindrance.

They are up against a team that went unbeaten during the qualifiers and has had the advantage of playing in these conditions already. Northern Districts are big favourites to topple the Cape side, but these are the sorts of challenges pro cricketers relish, and a number of players have a real chance to prove their worth.

Key players

Cobras

Hashim Amla's experience will be invaluable for the Cobras. While there is still some doubt over whether he really is a T20 player, his performances in the one-day format for South Africa will certainly inspire some confidence.

Districts

Trent Boult was superb during the qualifiers and now that he's gotten to know the conditions, he's going to be a handful, even for the most experienced batsmen.

Squads

Cobras

Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Justin Kemp, Rory Kleinveldt, Charl Langeveldt, Richard Levi, Aviwe Mgijima, Justin Ontong (captain), Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt, Zakhele Qwabe, Omphile Ramela, Stiaan van Zyl, Dane Vilas

Northern Districts

Ish Sodhi, Jono Boult, Brad Wilson, Kane Williamson, Daniel Flynn (captain), BJ Watling, Graeme Aldridge, Anton Devcich, Tim Southee, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Daniel Harris, Scott Styris, Trent Boult, Mitchell Santner.

All quotes and information obtained firsthand or via ESPN Cricinfo, unless otherwise stated.