The unbeaten Galle Marvels will take on Jaffna Kings in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) for the second time in this tournament and this is going to be a good battle at Dambulla International Stadium today (5), commencing at 7.30pm.
All teams are highly satisfied with t Pallekele wickets and Kandy Falcons is the only team bundled out for 147 against Colombo Strikers while in all other matches both teams were able to make over 175 runs and most of the time games continued until the last over .In addition introducing Power Blast two overs (16-17) give new trend to the tournament.
LPL tournament now moved to Dambulla from Pallekele and different conditions with the venue change and all teams expect batting favourable wickers like Pallekele .In Dambulla wind factor is the key and bowlers also can get that advantage. At Pallekele spinners like Dunith Wellalalge and Shadab Khan both from Colombo Strikers got a good advantage with Shadab having back to back four wickets hauls and he was lucky to get a hat trick which was the second LPL hat trick of this series.
Two teams Galle and Jaffna met each other at Pallekele when Galle team beat Jaffna by five wickets and opener Alex Hales was the match hero scoring 47 ball 65 while skipper Niroshan Dikwella made a brisk knock of 47 in 27 balls made a solid platform to get the last ball thrilling victory. In fact Galle team head coach Graham Ford the former Sri Lanka coach gives fine support to Galle Marvels to go forward. They played two matches to make an unbeaten record and are presently on top of the points table having 4 points.
Galle skipper Dickwella is in good form and he wants to continue his form during this tournament while their team is in good morale after getting back to back victories. I just wanted to take some more responsibility said Dickwella after making fifty he threw his wicket away in last game and now he is expected to come back with a long innings.Especially Alex Hales their Icon player who opens the innings getting used to wickets while Tim Seifert the New Zealander also in good touch. The last Galle game against Colombo Strikers openers Dickwella and Hales made 72 in just 7 overs but the fall of few wickers pute them under pressure. All rounder Sahan Arachchige and Isuru Udana made a fighting partnership to build up their total after middle order collapse and Galle wanted to strengthen their top order while continuing their all round capabilities.
Meanwhile Jaffna Kings led by Charith Asalanka beat Dambulla Sixes having two points ready to take on Galle Marvels challenge. They want to rectify their mistakes and coach Avishka Gunawardana and his team are busy with the team and got good training session yesterday. The inform batsman Avishka Fernando having back to back fifties is their main stroke maker while skipper Charith Asalanka has strengthed the middle order. Asalanka and Avishka added 134 runs in a match winning partnership against Colombo Strikers in their last game. Avishka came to number four at this game. The left hand opener Avishka Fernando said whatever position he wanted to make runs for team success. We have National team openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis and sometimes I used to play number 3 or 4 and it doesn’t matter and that’s up to the match situation. Especially when I bat with skipper Asalanka it always gives more relief as he give good support and that was shown at our last game. We have a good batting line up and are expected to make a challenge to go forward. We don’t have any pressure and want to show our skills at this short format of the game added Avishka Fernando and Jaffna Kings who played under Thisara Perera in last four editions this time under new leadership and new coach Avishka Gunawardena. They were the champions three in a row from inaugural tournament while last time Kandy emerged champions.
LPL matches at Dambulla
July 5 – Galle Marvels Vs Jaffna Kings – 7.30pm
July 6 – Kandy Falcons Vs Colombo Strikers – 3pm, Dambulla Sixes Vs Jaffna Kings – 7.30 pm
July 7 – Kandy Falcons Vs Galle Marvels – 3pm, Dambulla Sixes Vs Colombo Strikers – 7.30pm
July 9 – Kandy Falcons Vs Jaffna Kings – 3pm, Dambulla Sixes Vs Galle Marvels – 7.30 pm
July 10 – Colombo Strikers Vs Jaffna Kings – 3pm, Kandy Falcons Vs Galle Marvels – 7.30pm
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