Champions League T20 Final: Highveld Lions v Sydney Sixers

The Sixers' Michael Lumb

Sydney are the best side in the tournament and have to be backed, even at short prices, to triumph in Sunday's Champions League final, says Andy Tongue.

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Venue/Conditions

Sides batting first have scored 150, 130, 143, 185, 157, 131 and 173 in the games played at the Wanderers (including the qualifying stage) so decent totals are certainly possible. The wickets have been pacey with decent bounce which unsettled the IPL sides but shouldn'tpose any issues for either of the finalists - Sydney's pace trio in particular will relish the chance to bowl on it. Unfortunately the forecast is for heavy rain and thunderstorms so we could struggle to get a game of any sort in. Organisers suddenly scheduled a reserveday at short notice for the semi-finals and it must be likely they do the same for the final, although the forecast is no better for Monday.

Highveld Lions

Playing in their backyard the Lions, who have surprised many by making it this far, should know the wicket and conditions better than their opponents. Gulam Bodi started slowly and struggled against the pace and bounce of Morne Morkel in their semi-final but hung in there and his 50 proved crucial. The match-winning innings came from Neil McKenzie, a 28-ball unbeaten knock of 46 runs, which enabled them to set a competitive total. Aaron Phangiso bowled beautifully again, taking 2-18 to give him tournament figures of 10 wickets for 89 runs from 20 overs. Chris Morris took 2-7 and has also chipped in with useful runs down the order.

Sydney Sixers

Our outright antepost tips at 8.615/2 have done us proud, winning five out of five to advance to the final. The semi-final was a close run thing though as they chased down 163 to squeeze past the Titans and prevent an all-South African final. Even without talismanic all-rounder Shane Watson, who was called home to rest by the Australian Cricket Board after their third win, they have a powerful batting line-up and powerful pace battery in Mitchell Starc (13 wickets already and almost certain to win the Golden Arm award), Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. Mention must also go to all-rounder Moises Henriques, who has taken eight wickets and also contributed with the bat at vital moments.

Match Odds

We are going to go against the strategy of backing the outsiders where possible, which has served us so well (particularly against the over-rated IPL sides) and stick with the Sixers at 1.584/7. Their 100% win record clearly shows they are the best side in the competition, even without Watson, and the semi-final win demonstrated an ability to grind out a result if necessary. A rain-shortened game is always something of a lottery which would favour the Lions, who have been mighty impressive themselves, but we're not about to desert the Aussies.

Top Lions Batsman
Bodi is the tournament's leading run-scorer (202) but could be found out by the Sixers quicks so we prefer his nearest rival and team-mate McKenzie (176), who looks in devastating touch with the bat.

Top Sixers Batsman
The unheralded Michael Lumb is the Sixers' top scorer and has consistently got them off to decent sidesh at the top of the order.

Recommended Bet: Back Sixers to win at 1.584/7