The DP World ILT20 is shifting into top gear as, after Monday’s final group game in Sharjah between the Gulf Giants and the Sharjah Warriors, February 8thwill see the first Qualifier being played between the Desert Vipers and the Gulf Giants, with the winner assured a place in Sunday’s final. The losing side has a second shot at making it to the final, through a second qualifier on Friday, where they will play the winner of Thursday’s eliminator (played between the third and fourth-placed team).

The Desert Vipers completed their group games on Saturday and, after a day of rest, it was back to training for the players and coaching staff. Training sessions were scheduled on Monday and Tuesday at the ICC Academy ahead of Wednesday’s Gulf Giants clash at the Dubai International Stadium.The Vipers Voices podcast spoke to Fielding Coach Simon Helmot, a key member of the coaching staff, about his process with the Desert Vipers squad and he did a quick review of how the tournament has gone from his perspective: “It has been terrific for us to have made the play-offs, and to know pretty early in the tournament that we were going to play in the play-offs was rewarding for the coaching staff and the players.“Now this is the business end and we have got ourselves a double chance. We would love not to have to use that double chance and win our qualifier on the eighth and get straight through to the final on the twelfth.”Looking ahead to that all-important qualifier on Wednesday, Helmot spoke about his plans to help the team get it right on the field. He said: “This is the time that the team, and the coaches including myself will look to try and perfect all three aspects of the game – batting, fielding and bowling. We just know with fielding, it is the one collective time that, as soon as the ball has left the bowlers hand, everyone is involved. So, it is about how we make sure that at that particular moment we are all absolutely engaged and wanting the ball to come to us and we are ready to execute.”Helmot was recently named the Cricket ACT’s (Australia Capital Territory) Coach of the Century, an award he says he was very honoured to have received. “I was absolutely thrilled and taken aback. That was my first coaching stint in 2005 where I took my one year-old son and wife up to Canberra and decided to have a go at coaching full-time. I only spent two years at the ACT, and to be rewarded with Coach of the Century was amazing. I am thrilled.”Vipers Voices also spoke to Indian wicketkeeper-batter Naman Ojha who has joined the squad to replace Dinesh Chandimal. Chandimal has been recalled by Sri Lanka Cricket, and Ojha will step in as the back-up wicketkeeper for Sam Billings in the Desert Vipers squad.Ojha’s wallet has some serious franchise cricket currency, having played in the Indian Premier League for the Rajasthan Royals with Shane Warne, the Delhi Daredevils (now the Delhi Capitals) and the Sunrisers Hyderabad with Desert Vipers Director of Cricket Tom Moody.Speaking about Tom Moody, Ojha said: “When I was picked for the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Tom Moody was coach of the team. I had a very good experience with him, and we went on to win the IPL in 2016. After that we had a very good run in the next two to three years with Tom. Tom knows me and I know him, so I look forward to another (successful) collaboration.”While Ojha is aware he is in as a backup for Billings, he says he has been training hard and is confident of performing at the top level should the Desert Vipers need his services on the field. Ojha said: “I first want to congratulate Sam Billings for his beautiful performance. I have been watching the tournament on TV and his batting and keeping have both been tremendous. Hopefully he will do well in upcoming matches as well. My role is as a backup, but you never know, as I am also an opener. So, if I get an opportunity, I will make sure I do well for the team.”Here are some quotes from Fielding Coach Simon Helmot:On his role as a fielding coach: “There are different players at different stage of their cricketing life (in the Desert Vipers squad). To some you do get a chance to teach some skills, and skill development, but a majority of the players are very experienced, and it is all about getting their workloads done.“The Vipers players have been terrific. We have not had many what you would call whole group full skill sessions, it is very much individual based.”On lapses in the field and how to get it right:“For us we have probably had a couple of lapses in concentration and we have not been quite in tune. Also it is about being in precisely the right position to make sure when the ball does fall we are right under it. So for myself it is continual conversations with the players, not just actually hitting catches and ground balls.“On the other side we have seen some brilliant bits of play from Hasaranga at point. We saw Jake Lintott knock the stumps out in our last game. Our big fast bowlers like Sheldon Cottrell, and the velocity of his diving around the boundary and keeping the ball in play (have been brilliant too). I think at times we highlight the mistakes, but I think we have also had some special bits of play.”On preparing to face the Gulf Giants on February 8th, having lost to them twice in the tournament: “Our minds have been fixated on how we win this first final (first qualifier) on the eighth. We had to make some changes in the last game to rest some players and to freshen people up. In both matches against them there were some fine moments in the game that had a greater impact when it came to the win-loss. We feel very confident against them, it is a new game, and we have a new side in (with changes to come from the previous line-up) and we are looking forward to taking them on.“It is totally about how can we best perform on the eighth (February 8 in Qualifier 1) against the Gulf Giants. The pressure and all the bits and pieces are outside noises. The players will be very calm, they will know their roles and they will have clear backing from James Foster and all the other coaches and captain Colin Munro. So, I think the players will be in a really good place to best perform. And quite clearly the opposition will do the same. So, it is about us against them at this venue, the Dubai International Stadium, in a qualifying final.”Here are some quotes from wicketkeeper-batsman Naman Ojha:On how the opportunity to play at Desert Vipers came up:“Firstly I would like to thank the Desert Vipers for believing in me and having faith in me at the backend of the tournament. This is a very important stage of the tournament, and the team has done well. The team is going into the playoffs, and I am really excited to be a part of this team.I have been preparing for the last two months in the hope of playing for various leagues and tournaments. When I heard about the tournament, I was keen to play, but I did not get a chance to play in the first part of this tournament as the franchises had already picked their teams. But I continued my preparations in case I was called up as a replacement.”On experience in the IPL including with the Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Daredevils and Hyderabad Sunrisers:“I think my experience in the IPL with various teams will help me in this tournament as well. I know how situations can turn in one or two overs (in T20 franchise cricket) and I also know how to help move the table towards us (in our favour).“I had a wonderful time playing in the IPL. The Rajasthan Royals first picked me, alongside the legendary Shane Warne, and I had a really good run in two years (with the Rajasthan Royals). Those two years really taught me how to be a professional on the ground and also how to improve (my game). After a couple of good seasons with the Royals, I was picked by the Delhi Daredevils (now the Delhi Capitals) and had a good time with them. I was then picked by the Hyderabad Sunrisers where we won the IPL trophy which is what I had been waiting for six or seven years. I had a very good time with Tom Moody. We won in 2016 and then went to the semi-finals the next year, which was another good year for us.”On following the DP World ILT20:“I have been following this tournament very closely as I was keen to play in it. The wickets (at the DP World ILT20) are pretty similar to those in India. I have been watching how the players are performing. I also gave thought to how I would perform, should I get the chance, and how I would play on certain kind of wickets, and also against certain bowlers.”

All-rounder Tom Curran was the top performer for the Vipers with both bat and ball.

Desert Vipersplayed their “A-game” and defeated Gulf Giants in Qualifier 1 on Wednesday. After a superb all-round performance, the Vipers won by 19 runs and qualified for theILT20 2023final.

The Vipers set a reasonable target of 179 runs for Gulf Giants to win this match and qualify for the final. The Giants’ opening duo of skipper James Vince and Chris Lynn began the chase cautiously as they managed to accumulate only 11 runs in the first two overs. They further helped the Giants through to the end of the power play, adding 53 runs in six overs.

A quick counterattack from the Vipers halted the giants’ quest. Sri Lankan star spinnerWanindu Hasarangaremoved Lynn (26). Things worsened whenTom Curranknocked out his countryman Vince for 21 runs. The Giants’ situation deteriorated further as they were reduced to 75 for two after 10 overs.

Hasaranga took charge in the 11th over and dismissed newcomers Colin de Grandhomme (11) and David Wiese (0) cheaply. After 12 overs, the Giants were left with Shimron Hetmyer and Carlos Brathwaite at the crease with the scores reading 77 for four.

The Caribbean southpaw scored 36 runs off 21 balls before being dismissed in the 15th over. English gloveman Tom Banton (8) joined Brathwaite at the crease but couldn’t make his stay count as he was dismissed in the 16th over. The Giants were trailing at 122 for six after that over.

Hasaranga leaked a couple of sixes in his final over, which made things a bit interesting going towards the end. But the Vipers’ bowlers held their nerves and scalped a few more wickets on their way to the ILT20 Final ticket. Apart from Hasaranga,Luke Wood(2/26) and Curran (4/31) were also impressive with the ball. The Vipers bundled out the Giants’ innings for 159 runs as they won by 19 runs.

Put into bat first, Desert Vipers deployedAlex HalesandRohan Mustafato open the innings. Mustafa began the carnage with three big sixes before getting out for 23 runs in the fourth over. Table toppers Gulf Giants dominated from there on by dismissing Hales (3) and skipperColin Munro(2) as the Vipers were reduced to 36 for three at the end of the power play.

Sam Billingsand Hasaranga provided some resistance with the bat adding 60 runs for the fourth wicket. Hasaranga departed in the 12th over after an effective cameo of 31 runs. The scoreboard read 93 for four when Caribbean hard-hitterSherfane Rutherfordarrived at the crease.

Later in the 15th over, Billings was also dismissed after a brief stay of 31 runs. This left the Vipers struggling at 109 for five at the end of that over. The giants were in control till Rutherford (37) limped off with a hamstring injury, but as he came back he changed the atmosphere of the game along with Curran (29) to shift the balance of the match in the Vipers’ favour.

Desert Vipers wrapped up their innings with 178 on the board at the expense of seven wickets in 20 overs.

The Vipers won by 19 runs and qualify for the final. Rutherford and Curran ended the innings on high which lift the tempo and was nicely defended by the bowlers, specially Hasaranga and Curran took the wickets when Vipers needed, taking three and four wickets each.

Brief Scores

Desert Vipers178/7 in 20 overs (S Rutherford 37, W Hasaranga 31, C Jordan 3/40) defeatedGulf Giants159/10 in 20 overs (S Hetmyer 36, C Lynn 26, T Curran 4/31) by 19 runs.

The Desert Vipers squad was out in full force at the ICC Academy in Dubai, for a training session ahead of their crucial Qualifier against the Gulf Giants on Wednesday, February 8. The two teams will play each other for a third time in the DP World ILT20.

While the Desert Vipers have lost their previous encounters against the Gulf Giants, Desert Vipers Colin Munro, in a conversation with the Vipers Voices podcast, said he believes his side can beat the Gulf Giants on Wednesday: “Every team is beatable in this competition. There are some great squads around, especially our team. I have all the faith in the boys to do the job tomorrow.“All the pressure is on them. They have beaten us twice. And we come into the play-off as underdogs. They have lost just one game in the group stage, so they are the team to beat. All the pressure will be on them.”The Desert Vipers and Gulf Giants encounter on Wednesday, February 8, at the Dubai International Stadium, begins at 6 pm GST. Tickets can be purchased using this link:https://dubai.platinumlist.net/DesertVipersHere are some excerpts from the interview with Colin Munro.Question:Playing against the Gulf Giants, you’ve played two and lost two. Is there a fair amount of pressure on the Desert Vipers going into Wednesday’s game?Colin Munro:“All the pressure is on them. They have beaten us twice. And we come into the play-off as underdogs. They have lost just one game in the group stage, so they are the team to beat. All the pressure will be on them.”Question:Are they (Gulf Giants) beatable?Colin Munro: “Every team is beatable in this competition. There are some great squads around, especially our team. I have all the faith in the boys to do the job tomorrow.”Question:What are the learnings from the last two games against the Gulf Giants?Colin Munro: “I think staying in the contest (is important). They have got some wonderful players and they will put us under pressure, so (it is important) to stay in the contest for long periods of time and also to try and close out our overs a little better. With the bat, if you are in, (it is important too) make sure you get a big score.”Question:The Gulf Giants have some terrific death bowlers with David Wiese and Chris Jordan, don’t they?Colin Munro: “That (effective bowling during the death overs) is their biggest strength along with their batting. They have got those death bowlers that are taking wickets. Confidence in this format of the game is a huge thing. So, against those boys that are world-class on their day, you have got to be at your best.”Question:You have played all ten games in this tournament so far, and this is a new role for you as captain. How have you found that and how are you feeling?Colin Munro: “I was fortunate enough to have my family with me, so when it is not cricket, then it is switching off time and family time. That is something I have done really well in the last year or two. Earlier, I used to carry a lot of baggage from game to game. Thinking about things and thinking more of the negative, rather than what I have done well.“So now I have made those changes, and once I get off the bus, the cricket is done, and (I try to) just be mentally fresh when I am around the family.“I have learnt a lot along the way, especially about those difficult conversations around players and letting them know they are not playing. Sometimes it is just saying they are not in our best team at the moment, and guys have to learn to take that with a pinch of salt and move on, and the guys have been great.”Question:A new player Naman Ojha has come into the squad, replacing Dinesh Chandimal. Have you managed to chat to him and how have you found him?Colin Munro: “He (Naman Ojha) is a great addition to the squad and a very experienced player. A backup wicketkeeper for Sam Billings, so if anything happens to Billings, Ojha will be the next guy in. He is a very experienced player and has played a lot in the IPL. He spoke in the meeting before coming to training about how excited he is about joining the team, and hopefully, he can add some value, both on and off the field.”Question:There was a good turnout at nets today, is that a sign of how hungry the players are?Colin Munro:“I think it shows how much the boys want to go out and put on a good performance tomorrow. It shows they are keen, and really want to do well for the team. As a captain, it is pleasing to see everyone here putting in the hard work. The preparation is really good so far, and we can come into the game tomorrow and play what is in front of us. “Question:Are you confident about tomorrow?Colin Munro: “Yes (I am) confident. I have said it the whole way, we have the best team, I still believe that even though we finished second. I still believe we have the best team on paper. But as I said, it (a match) is not won on paper, it is won on the ground, and the team that adapts and plays what is in front of them the best will go on and win.“For me (I have) confidence in the team’s ability and my own ability to lead this team and hopefully we can come away with a win.”