Cricket: ND sticking to simplicity in Raipur

BJ Watling. Photo / AP

NZ champions taking it one game at a time in their Champions League chase as they prepare to face Hobart.

Northern Districts aren't about to veer from their simple policy before their second Champions League group game against the Hobart Hurricanes in Raipur early tomorrow.

There's no great master plan for the New Zealand champions, and certainly no looking too far ahead.

"It's a very simple philosophy," coach James Pamment said.

"We played the Cape Cobras and all our energies were channelled around them. Once through that we turn our attention to the Hurricanes, then the Kings XI, who probably will be considered the toughest team in the group. I know it's a cliche but game-by-game is the one that works best."

ND have a couple of things going for them. They have the best two-pronged new ball attack in the tournament in Trent Boult and Tim Southee; and in Kane Williamson, with support at various points from fellow opener Anton Devcich, captain Daniel Flynn and wicketkeeper BJ Watling, a highly capable group of batsmen.

Williamson's super unbeaten 101 off just 49 balls against the Cobras is the only century of the tournament so far. His 220 runs are 91 more than the second best aggregate - that of Devcich - he's averaging 73.33 at a strike rate of 166.66, and his seven sixes are the tournament leader too.

Sure ND played three qualifying games, so the numbers could be slightly misleading, but the point is not: Williamson, a player not always regarded as a T20 must pick, has changed the perception of himself in the shortest form.

Hobart walloped the Cobras yesterday, winning by six wickets with an over to spare, chasing down 184. Opener Ben Dunk rattled 54 off 35 balls before Aiden Blizzard belted 78 not out from 48 balls to seal the win.

They are likely to be ND's toughest opponents thus far, with bowling strength from Ben Laughlin, a highly proficient T20 seamer who has spent time with Canterbury and ND, veteran fast-medium pair Doug Bollinger and Ben Hilfenhaus and Pakistan international Shoaib Malik.

ND stuck with the same XI for the three qualifying games before introducing young allrounder Mitchell Santner for batsman Daniel Harris against the Cobras.

Pamment said a horses for courses policy was in place, "and so far they've run good races".

This will be their last game at Raipur, a destination they're probably reluctant to leave given their results in the past four games there.

Points
(Before Chennai Super Kings play the Dolphins this morning)
Group A: Kolkata Knight Riders 8 (2 games), Perth Scorchers 4 (1), Dolphins 0 (1), Lahore Lions 0 (1), Chennai Super Kings 0 (1).
Group B: Kings XI Punjab 8 (2), Northern Districts 4 (1), Hobart Hurricanes 4 (2), Barbados 0 (1), Cape Cobras 0 (2).