With the semi-final lineup yet to be confirmed, there is still plenty of interest surrounding the action in Champions League.
The last two group A matches will be played on Tuesday as Auckland play Perth Scorchers in the first match. The match will be keenly followed by the other two teams in action later in the day - Delhi Daredevils and Titans.
Perth Scorchers are already out of the tournament and will only be playing for pride and, possibly, ruining Auckland’s plans. Auckland have six points so far and several permutations are possible
A win for Auckland followed by a no-result or a Titans victory will put the New Zealand side level with one of the teams in the other match. But Auckland’s run rate makes it a difficult bet for them to go through should they be equal on points.
A no-result in the Auckland game will leave them praying for a Titans defeat later, that too by a heavy margin. Should Auckland lose, they will pack up to return home regardless of the outcome of the evening fixture.
Auckland could consider themselves lucky to have gotten two points out of the rain-washed game against the intimidating Delhi Daredevils. This time, the weather is not expected to play such an integral part in the tale of the events with the action having moved to Cape Town.
The team will rely largely on Azhar Mahmood’s performance with both bat and ball while Anaru Kitchen and Martin Guptill have also looked good with the bat. The team will need to post a healthy total to let the bowlers defend. They will be without Andre Adams who is out due to an injury.
Perth Scorchers, on the other hand, have been a disappointment from the standards they displayed in the Big Bash League. Two losses and a no-result have left them playing only for pride and a possible opportunity of spoiling the party for Auckland.
The team will be led by Marcus North while eyes will also be on the young Mitchell Marsh who has the capacity to hit it big.
The match starts at 1.30pm.