Jaffna Kings are set to cross swords with Kandy Warriors in a crucial game of the Lanka Premier League. Kings have only lost one game to Dambulla Giants. Barring that minor blip, they have shown a tremendous amount of consistency in the remaining three games. The batting is looking ferocious with players in red hot form. Captain Thisara Perera has led from the front, while the likes of Shoaib Malik and Tom Kohler-Cadmore have played their part as well. The bowlers have complimented the batters with a clinical display.
Meanwhile, the Warriors finally got their campaign off with a five-wicket win over Galle Gladiators. This came after three consecutive losses. The win should do their confidence a world of good. Their bowlers fared well in the match, with Kamindu Mendis picking up three wickets. Later, Ravi Bopara finished the run-chase of 128 by scoring an unbeaten 34. The bowling has been decent in all games but the batters have let the team down. Even in the last game, the top order failed to get going. The team need to address this issue as quickly as possible.
Pitch Report
The pitch at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo has got better for batting as the tournament has progressed. Scores above 150 are being posted regularly. However, the underlying nature of the surface is slow thus the batters need to be very careful while taking on the spinners.
Average score: 162 (in LPL 2021 games so far)
Record of chasing teams: Won – 3, Lost – 5, N/R – 1
Probable Playing XIs
Jaffna Kings
Rahmatullah Gurbaz (wk), Avishka Fernando, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Ashen Bandara, Shoaib Malik, Thisara Perera (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chaturanga de Silva, Wahab Riaz, Suranga Lakmal, Maheesh Theekshana
Kandy Warriors
Kennar Lewis, Minod Bhanuka (wk), Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Angelo Perera (c), Rovman Powell, TM Sampath, Nimesh Vimukthi, Sachindu Colombage, Al-Amin Hossain, Shiraz Ahmed
Match Details
Match – Jaffna Kings vs Kandy Warriors – Match 12
Venue – R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Time – 03:00 PM IST
Where to watch live – Sony Sports Network, Sony LIV