Kandy, Jaffna in final showdown for supremacy

By M. Shamil Amit

The National Super League Limited Over tournament will conclude tomorrow with the clash for the title between Kandy and Jaffna scheduled to be played at the Pallekele International Stadium from 2.30 p.m. onwards.
   
Going by the performance of the two teams in th group stage the scale is in favour of Kandy who will be seeking to chalk up their third win against Jaffna whom they defeated by six wickets in the first round clash and by five-wickets in the second round.  
 
On the other hand Jaffna will no doubt be coming into the game aiming to avenge these two defeats and a closely contested match is on the card.

The Kandy side has been consistent and from the eight matches that they played they chalked up six wins with a solitary defeat and one match being abandoned for a total of 30 points. Jaffna from eight matches won  five and underwent three defeats to take the second spot with 22 points. 
  
The two sides posses talented players and Kandy have in the ranks three centurions in Lahiru Udara, Niroshan Dickwella and Oshada Fernando from whom much will be expected in this crucial encounter. Apart from the trio they will also bank on skipper Kamindu Mendis, Sahan Arachchige, Lasith Crosspulle, Pulina Tharanga, Ashian Daniel and Asitha Fernando in the batting and bowling departments.   

Jaffna will pin their hopes on skipper Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Smarawickrama, Damitha Silva, Santhush Gunatileke, Nishan Madushka, Ravindu Fermando, Nuwan Pradeep and the inclusion of Sri Lanka U19 skipper Dunith Wellalage is no doubt going to be an added bonus for the side.