CLT20: Lions aim to get close to semis qualification

South Africa's Highveld Lions will look to inch closer to a semifinal berth when they take on struggling and injury-hit English side Yorkshire in a group B encounter of the Champions League Twenty20 here.

After winning both their matches in the Qualifying event, Yorkshire received a mauling at the hands of the Sydney Sixers in their first match before sharing the points against Mumbai Indians in a rained-out game.

The county side is currently placed fourth in group B.
Lions, on the other hand, are placed second in the group after winning two and losing one of their preliminary games so far.

Prior to the tournament, skipper Alviro Petersen, Quinton de Kock and Neil McKenzie were identified as the three main batsmen in the Lions line-up.

But all three of them flopped against the Sydney Sixers which was a major reason for the team's loss. But opener Gulam Bodi sparkled with a 61 and would be expected to carry the form into the remaining matches.

Bodi had also played an fine knock against the Chennai Super Kings.
The left-arm pairing of Sohail Tanvir and Dirk Nannes will continue to be at the forefront of the Lions' bowling plans.

Left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso, who spent a sleepless night after getting Sachin Tendulkar's wicket in the game against Mumbai Indians, has shown fine temperament and poses a serious threat to the Yorkshire batsmen.

Yorkshire, on the other hand, will look up to Phil Jaques, Gary Ballance and Adil Rashid to score the bulk of the runs.