We are focussed on winning our next two matches: Fleming
The Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming on Saturday declared that the players are focussed on winning their next two matches in order to qualify for the semi-final of the Champions League Twenty20.
|Last Updated: Oct 01, 2011, 09:52 PM IST|Source: Bureau
Chennai: The Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming on Saturday declared that the players are focussed on winning their next two matches in order to qualify for the semi-final of the Champions League Twenty20.
CKSK started their campaign on a discordant note losing to Mumbai Indians but won their second game against Cape Cobras to earn two points and are to play Trinidad and Tobago (Sunday) and New South Wales on Oct 4 to complete their Group engagements.
Agreeing that his team has to win the next two games, Fleming said, "We ran Mumbai close in the fist game and we won the second. We`re in good shape with crucial contributions from a couple of guys in key times.
"We`re not far from playing well. Our campaigns usually get better with each game that goes on. We`ve to win the last two games to go through, the guys are aware of that and they`re working hard in training."
Fleming said that in T20, contribution from a couple of guys is key to success.
"In Twenty20, you get important contributions from a couple of guys each game, you don`t really get an even contribution. It`s just the case of when the opportunity comes up and the players are good enough to take it."
Fleming feels that Dhoni will do well in his role as a finisher.
"We don`t want him caught up in two or three roles. His main role is to come on the later part of the innings. He`s such a great finisher. He keeps it very simple. There are some good heads in the side to lay the foundation (prior to Dhoni`s arrival at the crease) of the innings."
He said the pitch is new and if it had been the same pitch that was used last IPL, the players would have been a lot more confident but still working out how best to approach the surface.
Asked whether CSK is enjoying an unfair advantage of playing all their matches at home compared to other teams, Fleming defended saying although it`s an advantage but not an unfair one.
"The crowd is very important. We enjoy playing here. We play a certain style, but here, we batted first (in the first match), bowled second (in the second match), so we are still trying to figure out what is a good score on this pitch, we`re watching matches to see how much it turns.
"So in terms of the pitch, the advantage is negated. But we are comfortable playing in Chepauk, we enjoy the home support."
On the lack of supporters in Chennai for this tournament, the coach said, "I don`t know, maybe they will come back as the tournament goes on. (Usually) at the start of a tournament, you have good crowds and they drift off in the middle and come back at the end of the tournament. If we play good cricket, hopefully we can get a few more to come through."
PTI
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