The first of the two semi finals of the Inter-Provincial limited over cricket tournament is scheduled to be played under floodlights at the R. Premadasa Stadium today.
The two teams vying to qualify to the final are Wayamba led by Mahela Jayawardena and Basnahira led by T.M. Dilshan. The first time that the two teams in the round robin stage saw Wayamba coasting to a 47 runs win on Duckworth-Lewis method.
Though the two teams posses some of the top cricketers in the island, yet the scale is in favour of Wayamba due to the fact they ended as the top team with three wins from the four matches that they played.
Basnahira who finished fourth in the points table on the other hand cannot be satisfied with their performance and for sure they will have to put in a much better display if they are to make any impression.
Wayamba will be hoping for a repeat performances from openers Dinesh Chandimal and Dimuth Karunaratne who both have made two half tons in the round robin stage along with world cup players skipper Mahela and Thilan Samaraweera who are also in form.
Basnahira on the other hand have not been consistent and they posses only two players who have been able to make half tons in Chaminda Vaas and skipper Dilshan. Vaas who had impressive bowling figures in their final against Uva will be the bowler to watch.
The second semi final between Kandurata led by Kumar Sangakkara and Ruhuna led by Upul Tharanga which is scheduled to be played tomorrow (Monday) is going be close one as Ruhuna though being inconsistent in the early stages came back to be in the reckoning later on.
Kandurata of course will be coming into the game with full of confidence having recorded a convincing 96 runs win on the Duckworth Lewis method against their opponents earlier and they look the side who is favoured to prevail.
Likewise Ruhuna too will be coming to avenge this defeat but it’s going to be a daunting with the talent that is available in the Kandurata side. The two sides have won two matches each but Kandurata’s better run-rate saw them securing the second slot.
Kandurata will be pinning their hopes on skipper Sangakkara who has been their top scorer along with Chamara Kapugedera Jehan Mubarak and Angelo Perera.
Skipper Tharanga and veteran Sanath Jayasuriya are expected to give Ruhuna a good start. They also posses in their rank world cup player Chamara Silva along with Jeewan Mendis and Kaushal Silva to give them a batting boost.
Nevertheless two days of entertaining cricket is on the cards and this will also be of great help to players who are included in the world cup squad to make their final preparation for the big clash next month.
The final is scheduled to be played on January 26 at the same venue which will also be played under floodlights.
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