Champions League T20 gets all its qualifiers after Somerset, Leicestershire qualify

So, the final couple of sides have finally managed to get through to the Champions League T20 playoffs, what with the qualification of the English counties into the tournament. The count of 13 teams has thus been achieved.

On August 27, the finals day of the English FP T20 tournament, Somerset and Leicestershire won their respective semi-finals, to not only enter the final but also the Champions League T20 playoffs to be played between September 19 and October 9. Leicestershire went on to win the tournament, relegating the Somerset side to their third successive finals’ loss.

It was an interesting finals day; affected by rain but brining out the real excitement. Leicestershire were held to a tie by Lancashire in their semi-final before winning through in the Super Over, which took them to the final of the tournament. On the other hand, Somerset also had a tied game in their semi-final, thanks to a magnificent last over bowled by Dominic Cork when they needed only five from the last six balls.

However, it was in the eliminator that things changed around for the two teams, what with Leicestershire smashing the required 13 rather easily while Somerset setting up 17 and getting only five runs from Shahid Afridi from Hampshire. Hampshire had been the defending champions of the FP T20 tournament and had they been allowed to, would have played for the Champions League T20.

What Hampshire’s loss means is that the Indian fans would not be able to see Shahid Afridi feature in India for the Champions League T20, even as Somerset make their second trip into the tournament in three years.

The Champions League T20 qualifiers will now have the following groups:

Pool A: Ruhuna, Trinidad and Tobago, Leicestershire

Pool B: Auckland, Kolkata Knight Riders, Somerset

Three of these teams will make it through to the main draw of the Champions League T20, which begins from September 21.

Here are the Champions League T20 qualifiers matches to be played on September 19, 20 and 21. All the below games will be played in Uppal in Hyderabad.

September 19:

Ruhuna v TT, Auckland v KKR

September 20:

Leicestershire v TT, Auckland v Somerset

September 21:

Leicestershire v Ruhuna, KKR v Somerset

While it is difficult to call who will go on to qualify for the main draw, if the pitches at Uppal are anywhere close to being spin-friendly as Indian pitches usually are, trust Ruhuna to go through to the next round. Somerset, incidentally, have a decent line-up of spinners, including Murali Kartik, who returns from injury to make it to the side. If they can get their batting right, they will have a decent chance as well. However, the absence of Marcus Trescothick will hurt the side.