Jaffna on top; Dambulla looks dead
Preview:
Match 13-Colombo vs Dambulla at Pallekele
Dambulla and Colombo in a bottom of the table tussle would be taking on each other all out to avoid that bad-looking last spot in the opening match of the third week tomorrow.
Colombo, too, during the last week, from the top-3 having slipped to the penultimate position would be looking to up their game, hand their opponents the six straight defeat and climb up in the table. They’ll have to improve their game dealing with the absence of a couple of seniors, out with national duty.
Match 14-Kandy vs Jaffna at Dambulla
Jaffna, sitting pretty at the top-of-the-table, would want to maintain that consistency against a Kandy outfit also capable of taking over the No.1 status to be played on the same day.
However, the battle would be, whether it be the former maintaining their top place or Kandy sending Jaffna down.
Match 15- Kandy vs Colombo at Pallekele
If Kandy’s above match goes in their favor, it would be another opportunity for the central hills boys to retain that spot later this week (10).
While for Colombo also, had they had beaten the tottering Dambulla, to stick around in top-3 position.
Match 16- Galle vs Dambulla at Dambulla
For Dambulla, shockingly, yet to register a win, would be an ideal match to register the desperately-needed first win of the tournament to be played on the same day.
In Galle’s case, it will be match to take advantage of a team looking lifeless and improve their standings in the table with the finals around-the-corner.
Incomprehensibly and inexplicably, Dambulla down and out without a win, will have to turn tables without their ace spinner, Wanindu Hasaranga.
Match 17- Jaffna vs Galle at Pallekele
Jaffna, having significantly risen in the table and only with a solitary loss, would be up against Galle on Sunday (13).
However, the coastal city too can upset Jaffna’s placing by handing of what would be their only second loss and take over the second place.
Match 18- Dambulla vs Kandy at Dambulla
In the final match of the week, Dambulla playing their second consecutive match will have to notch up wins sooner than any other team.
Kandy, on the other hand, will have to utilize these chances against a low-lying team and boost their chances of making it to the finals.
| Summary and Scores: | |
| Match 7-Kandy beat Dambulla by 155-runs at the SSC Kandy handsomely defended their commanding total of 318 downing Dambulla by 155 with the help of Oshada Fernando’s century and Pulina Tharanga’s 3/39 exactly a week ago. Kandy: 318/9 (50) (O Fernando 138, K Mendis 43, and L Samarakoon 4/82) Dambulla: 163 all out. (42.1) (A Priyaranjan 50 and Pulina Tharanga 3/39) Match 8: Jaffna beat Galle by 88 at the P Sara Oval Jaffna captain Dhananjaya De Silva’s complete all-round performance of 55 and 4-27 with the ball ensured his team comfortably overcame Galle by 88 runs played concurrently. Jaffna: 263 all out (49.5) (S Gunathilake 57, D De Silva 55, Muditha Lakshan 3-44 and D Lakshan 3-37) Galle: 175 all out (36.2) (J Daniel 36, D Silva 4/27) Match 9: Jaffna beat Colombo by six-wickets at the SSC Jaffna continued their purple patch posting their second win on-the-trot convincingly by six-wickets versus Colombo on Tuesday (1) with the top-order laying the foundation for an easy win. Jaffna: 248/4 (46.4) (S Samarawickrama 91 n.o., L Thirimanne 52) Colombo: 247/8 (50) (A Bandara 75, S Ashan 43, L Madushan 42, N Madushanka 4-39) Match 10: Kandy beat Galle by 96-runs at P Sara Oval A hammering all-round team show by Kandy, including a deadly six wicket spell by Pulinga Tharanga sent Galle packing by 96 played on the same day. Kandy: 269 all out (47.3) (L Udara 63, O Fernando 56, L Croospulle 46, N Dickwella 46, A Dananjaya 5/61) Galle: 173 all out (42.2) (Pabasara 50, P Tharanga 6/29) Match 11: Jaffna beat Dambulla by 51-runs at the Pallekele Jaffna collect their third win in-a-row and handed Dambulla yet another loss by 51 on the back of their centurion and captain’s Dhananjaya De Silva’s 101 last Friday (4). Jaffna: 266/8 (50) (De Silva 101, L Samarakoon 4-61) Dambulla: 215/9 (50) (Sameera Sadamal 46, N Pradeep 3/40) Match 12: Galle beat Colombo by 44-runs at Dambulla A late burst down the order by Kavishka Anjula hitting 75 and rewards virtually for all bowlers still sufficed to Galle to defend their modest score of 225, beating Colombo by 44 runs on the same day. Jaffna: 225 all out (49.1) (K Anjula 75, L Madushanka 2-18) Colombo: 181 all out 45.5) (D Karunaratne 42, L Madushanka 43, C De Silva 3/27) |