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Dambulla catain Minod Bhanuka and Jaffna Captain Janith Liyanage
Rival coaches Upul Chandana (Dambulla) and Dhammika Sudarshana (Jaffna)
By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
Dambulla and Jaffna, two teams that have made it to the final of the National Super League 50-over after ten days of intense competition will vie for prize money worth Rs. 3 million where the winners will pick up Rs. 2 million and the runner-up, Rs. 1 million. The day-night final is scheduled to begin at the R. Premadasa Stadium with the toss at 2.00 p.m.
Dambulla go into the final with a lot of confidence having defeated Jaffna twice in the league stage but on the DLS method as rain interfered with the matches on both occasions.
Dambulla are aiming for the double of the league and the 50-over this season. They beat Galle in the final to win the league last month and have their eyes set on winning the 50-over.
“I have a lot of confidence that we can do it. Out of 8 matches in the league we have won 7 and in the team we have players who have won 7 Man of the Match awards. It will be ideal if we can have a full game tomorrow,” said Dambulla’s head coach Upul Chandana.
“We have identified the ability of each player and got whatever we can from them. That’s why we have been able to perform well throughout. As a team there is a lot of unity that has helped us win. Like I’ve said earlier, the decisions I took like bringing in young players without any fear has paid off well. It is the same strategy I adopted in winning the league.”
He added, “We don’t have big names but I placed my trust on the youngsters and they have delivered, especially players like Pavan Ratnayake and Sonal Dinusha. Lahiru Samarakoon is our best all-rounder. He is the leading wicket-taker in the tournament. Two national players Kamindu Mendis and Asitha Fernando have joined us. Asitha who bowls at 140kph plus and Nuwan Thushara bring a lot of variety into the bowling. We have a lot of variations that even if we get out for a small total we have been able to defend it. It’s a well-balanced side.”
Defending champions Jaffna are likely to field the same side that beat Colombo by 25 runs five days ago.
“We have met Dambulla twice and analysed where we went wrong and plan to rectify our mistakes as much as possible. Our mentality and confidence are high because we have performed well in all three departments. They are functioning well and are at their peak. The confidence level is also very high. That will be an advantage to us in the final,” said Jaffna’s head coach Dhammika Sudarshana.
During the tournament Sudarshana said they strengthened their batting which means the top, middle order and lower orders have delivered when required and put the required runs on the board.
“There is confidence in the batting unit which we have developed with every game. We don’t depend on one player to contribute there are about seven batters we can depend on. The bowlers have been in good form so that we have been able to execute our team plans well. We are confident that we can defend whatever total we put up with and even chasing we have the confidence to do so. We are an all-round team excelling in all departments,” said Sudarshana.
Individual prize money for the tournament are: Rs. 300,000 for Player of the Tournament, Rs. 150,000 each for Best Batsman and Best Bowler and, Rs. 75,000 for Player of the Final.
TEAMS:
DAMBULLA (from): Minod Bhanuka (captain), Pavan Ratnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Lasith Abeyratne, Sonal Dinusha, Dushan Hemantha, Ashan Priyanjan, Lahiru Samarakoon, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando, Ranitha Liyanarachchi, Duvindu Tillakaratne.
JAFFNA (from): Janith Liyanage (captain), Nishan Madushka, Navod Paranavithana, Kasun Abeyratne, Ron Chandraguptha, Lahiru Madushanka, Ravindu Fernando, Dilum Sudeera, Shiran Fernando, Binura Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, Kamesh Nirmal.
