Ed Joyce has high hopes Sussex can down Eagles

Charged up: Ed Joyce feels the strength of the Sussex bowling attack could cause Eagles problems
10 April 2012

Ed Joyce is hopeful that Sussex will win today's decisive match against South African side Eagles and progress to the second stage of the Twenty20 Champions League.

With New South Wales having already booked their spot in the Super Eights after winning both their first-round matches, Sussex know a victory over Eagles in Delhi will extend their stay in the competition.

The Sharks were without captain Mike Yardy and all-rounder Luke Wright due to illness as they lost their opening match in India, going down by 35 runs to the Aussies.

However, the fact that the Eagles suffered a 53-run defeat to New South Wales has given Sussex hope they can get the result they need.

Stand-in skipper Joyce said: "We performed better against New South Wales than the Eagles did, which will give us confidence.

"We are not over confident because they are a good side but I do think we have a good bowling attack for this pitch which is similar to our home ground at Hove.

"If we bat reasonably well we have a great chance of winning and going through."

Having lost their second group match against Trinidad & Tobago, Somerset now face an anxious wait to see whether they will stay in the tournament.

T & T beat Somerset by 44 runs in Bangalore yesterday, meaning the English county will be keeping their fingers crossed that the men from the Caribbean can repeat the feat against reigning Indian Premier League champions Deccan Chargers.

Another victory for T & T would leave them top of the group on four points, and Somerset - who have two points thanks to their victory over Deccan in the opening game - would join them in the Super Eights.

Somerset were unable to build on their surprise win over Deccan, who are led by former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, against T & T.

Chasing 151, former England opener Marcus Trescothick was out for only three, with captain Justin Langer scoring 15.

Langer said: "Trinidad played brilliantly in all aspects of the game. I don't think India would like me saying this, but I hope Trinidad beat Deccan. It's a bit disappointing and we made it hard for ourselves."

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