Captain comes to party – boosts Kandy’s chances of qualifying

Kandy Falcons’ skipper Wanindu Hasaranga who’s had a rather ordinary Lanka Premier League (LPL) so far came to the party when his team needed him most with a typical all-round performance against Dambulla Sixers in the first double header played at the R.Premadasa Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Hasaranga contributed a quickfire 25 off 12 balls, held onto three catches and most importantly took four wickets to give his team a crucial win by 54 runs that boosted their net run rate above Dambulla and pushed them up to fourth position. It was a must win game for the defending champions as this was their final league match. They certainly gave it their all to manufacture a handsome victory.

An astounding batting effort from Kandy gave them a great chance to keep themselves in contention for the Playoffs with everyone chipping in. Andre Fletcher set it all up at the beginning with 60 off 34 balls (1 four, 7 sixes). He was well supported by Mohammad Haris (24 off 13) and Hasaranga (25 off 12). But it was the partnership of 97* off 45 balls between Kamindu Mendis (51* off 24 balls, 5 fours, 2 sixes) and Angelo Mathews (44* off 23 balls, 5 sixes) that provided Kandy with final momentum that saw them post an imposing 222-4. The pair simply ripped Dambulla apart in the last five overs, scoring 79 including 26 off the final over. The entire innings saw 17 sixes being hit. All the Dambulla bowlers received a hammering and in that context leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha’s 3/14 was like gold dust.

The target of 223 was always going to be a tough chase and Dambulla never really got going. Kusal Perera fought hard with his 40-ball 74 (5 fours, 5 sixes) but he hardly got any support from the other batters and had to wage a lone battle. Hasaranga capped off a superb day with four wickets while Dasun Shanaka chipped in with three.

Kandy have finished their league phase well, but will have to await the result of the Dambulla-Colombo Strikers match today to know whether they have qualified. – (ST)

Scores: Kandy Falcons 222-4 (20) (Andre Fletcher 60, Mohammad Haris 24, Wanindu Hasaranga 25, Kamindu Mendis 51*, Angelo Mathews 44*, Dushan Hemantha 3/14)

Dambulla Sixers 168-9 (20) (Kusal Perera 74, Mark Chapman 24, Dasun Shanaka 3/29, Wanindu Hasaranga 4/35)