Champions League T20 Betting: Auckland v Delhi

Jayawardene captains Delhi

Ed Hawkins cannot advise a wager on the star-studded Daredevils tomorrow in Durban...

Auckland v Delhi
Start time: 16.30
TV: live on Eurosport

Auckland
The Kiwi bubble was burst rather against the Titans last time out. After three straight wins they suffered a heavy 59-run defeat. They lost discipline at a crucial time against the South African outfit when Kyle Mills was clobbered in the penultimate over and instead of chasing around 150 they faced a stiff 173. That demoralised them rather and they went down with a whimper, bowled out for just 113.

Delhi
An IPL side (before Thursday's games) is yet to win against a foreign team in this competition, and Delhi are the only team to have a win to their name from the star-studded tournament. They beat Kolkata almost a week ago and haven't played since. So it is worth remembering that in Mahela Jayawardene, Virender Sehwag, Kevin Pietersen and Ross Taylor they have probably the most fearsome batting line-up around.

Venue and conditions
The average first-innings score in the domestic T20 at Kingsmead last season was 130. But from the two matches played in this tournament so far, it actually looks a better batting wicket than that. Titans posted 172 against Auckland and Perth looked set fair for a decent total at 91 for two in the 15th over against Kolkata before rain set in. Still, we would like more evidence and getting long of runs at 160 is not a wager. There is rain forecast again.

Match odds
Auckland came unstuck against a relentless Titans. They were focused, efficient, highly-organised and had that smattering of brilliance by a much-vaunted player (Jacques Rudolph). All these qualities had been employed by Auckland previously, apart from the stardust.

Are Delhi the same as Titans? Nope. Sure, they have brilliant individuals but we highly doubt they are as smart as Titans, or Auckland for that matter. So the 3.1511/5 about the Kiwis is a massive price. Let it run if you wish but a back-to-lay looks assured. Delhi are a laughable price at 1.444/9.

We must also be aware that a reduced-overs affair is likely because of the weather. This helps Auckland. In such circumstances outsiders, if they are chasing, can find it much easier to score at ten runs an over for ten overs than for 20.

Top Auckland batsman
Azhar Mahmood has been their Mr Reliable so far but against Titans it was Andre Adams, still muscle-bound at a ripe 37, who top scored. From the No 10 position he hit 30 from 17 balls.

Top Delhi batsman
An embarrassment of riches rather. But despite those big names it was Unmukt Chand, the 19-year-old Indian, who did the business against Kolkata with 40 from 27 balls.

Recommended bet
Back-to-lay Auckland at 3.1511/5