Chance for Kandy to consolidate top position

Thursday, 8 February 2024 02:29 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

NSL 4-day tournament continues sans national cricketers

Kandy has a chance to consolidate their position at the top of the National Super League 4-day tournament table when they take on struggling Dambulla at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium today. The defending champions are labouring second from the bottom of the table having narrowly escaped outright defeat in both their games played so far.

Dambulla has so far not shown the consistency that won them the title last year. Vice-Captain Minod Bhanuka led them in last weekend’s game in the absence of Kamindu Mendis who was part of the Sri Lanka Test squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan. Mendis is certain to return to lead Dambulla along with fast bowlers Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando and experienced batter Angelo Mathews. They should have their full complement of players with the exception of spinner Akila Dananjaya who is in the squad for the ODI series against Afghanistan starting Friday.

Kandy on the other hand will be sans their Captain Pathum Nissanka and all-rounders Chamika Karunaratne and Sahan Arachchige who will be involved in the ODI series against Afghanistan, but will have the services of Lahiru Udara who returns from the Test squad and fast bowler Chamika Gunasekara if he has recovered from the blow on the head which he suffered while playing in the Test match.

Jaffna, who did not have a game last weekend, meet Galle at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium in Hambantota today. Galle put up a strong batting display against Dambulla and nearly grabbed full points after running up a mammoth 519-7 declared. They will be further strengthened by the return of skipper Ramesh Mendis, batsman Dinesh Chandimal and fast bowler Milan Ratnayake all of whom were part of the Test squad against Afghanistan.

Second placed Jaffna who have played one match less will have Sri Lanka Test Captain Dhananjaya de Silva to lead them along with opener Nishan Madushka and Sadeera Samarawickrama as they return from Test duty. They will however be minus the services of leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay who is recovering from a dislocated finger and all-rounder Janith Liyanage who is part of the ODI squad for the series against Afghanistan.

– (ST)