Kandy, Jaffna battle for SUPER LEAGUE title

Kandy captain Kamindu Mendis (L) and Jaffna captain Dhananjaya de Silva bump their fist in-front  of the NSL four day trophy

By M. Shamil Amit  

The National Super League Provincial four day cricket tournament enters its final battle when Kandy and Jaffna face off at the Galle International Stadium starting today.  
Jaffna recorded an outright win by nine wickets over table leaders Colombo, and Kandy registered a first innings win against Galle to qualify for the final.  

The encounter will be a closely contested affair but on paper Kandy seems to have the advantage as they prevailed against Jaffna with a first innings win in a high scoring encounter in the league phase.  

But Jaffna cannot be taken lightly as they will be coming into the game with confidence after their resounding win against fancied Colombo. 

Looking at the strength of the sides, Kandy will pin their hopes in the batting on Oshada Fernando, Kasun Vidura, Sahan Arachchige, Lasith Croospulle, Lahiru Udara, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara and Sachindu Colombage while in the bowling department much will be expected from Asitha Fernando, Ashian Daniel, Pulina Tharanga and Colombage to curtail the opponents.  

Jaffna will depend on Saminda Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Navod Paranavithana, Santhush Gunatileke, Janith Liyanage, Geeth Kumara, Nishan Madushka and young Dunith Wellalage in the batting with Dilum Sudeera, Kasun Madusanka, Kalhara Senaratne, Jeffrey Vandersay and Wellalage in the bowling to do the needful in taming the opponents.  

Another interesting factor is that the two teams are meeting each other in a final for the second time in two months. They previously fought out the National Super League limited over final in February in which Jaffna came out victorious by 37 runs to emerge champions.