NSW peaking at right time

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New South Wales have kept their hopes alive in the Champions League with a spirited display.

After near death against Trinidad & Tobago, the unit displayed pluck to overcome Mumbai Indians. Skipper Simon Katich was confident of continuing the good performance.

“We had a slow start (lost to Cabe Cobras in the opener), did not play that well in that game but learnt our lessons there. We got a bit lucky to get out of jail in the second. The performance against Mumbai was very good. Hopefully as we go through the tournament, guys will put their hands up and get the job done. Steven Smith and Ben Rohrer did it for us today,” said Katich.

NSW will face CSK in their final group match in what could be a virtual knockout. If the Cobras put it past T&T then CSK is out of the tournament irrespective of the result in the final game.

“We know Chennai are a tough team so we know we should look to keep improving in every way," Katich added.

NSW reaped the rewards for bowling well and some excellent work in the outfield. The spinners need to be on top of their game on Wednesday.

Katich credited the excellent partnership between Smith and Rohrer and the experience of Stuart Clark with the new ball in ensuring smooth passage.

“In the first few games, it was a big task for the spinners to bowl the first over and it didn’t quite go to plan. So we were just trying to get the momentum going in our way rather than letting the opposition get away,” explained Katich.

James Franklin saved Mumbai a major embarrassment with an unbeaten 42. There was something for Harbhajan Singh & Co. to bowl at.

“It was a case of trying to get more runs. I think we were still 30 runs short. A total of 130 would have made the game really interesting. But our bowlers bowled outstandingly well, they gave us a chance of winning, but Smith and Rohrer batted well,” said Franklin.

On the attacking field set by Harbhajan, Franklin said: “We were trying to take wickets and also conscious of keep the runs down. But the batsmen managed to rotate strike with minimal risk,” added Franklin.