I’ve been a bit nasty and not written much about the inter-provs. To cut a long story short, Wayamba and Basnahira North are in the Finals and will be competing later today for the title.
Wayamba
They only won one game but importantly didn’t loose any. The teams centered on their batting and their weak bowling attack tells in that they haven’t been able to pick up 20 wickets consistently.
Flyslip favorite Jehan Mubarak and captain of Wayamba will need to pull out something special if they are to throw down the might of B.North.
A lot will depend on the experience of Vandort , Mubarak and Udawatte and the support they get from domestic veterans Lanka De Silva and Hunukumbura in the batting. Its also a chance for 22 year old Shalika Kurunanayake to put up a good performance in a big game.
The bowling has been sketchy all season. Rangana Herath, slow left armer, hasnt delivered except in one game. Which isn’t enough. The new ball will probably fall to Welagedara and Amarasinghe. While Wela has been in good form he hasn’t found a partner at the other end.
If picked, 21 year old Isuru Udana, heralded as the next ‘Chaminda Vass’ will have a massive responsibility heaped on his young shoulders.
Mubarak’s lofty trundlers have bagged him 13 wickets this season, 2nd highest for Wayamba. Pretty shocking I know. But his part timers along with Lokuarachi’s leggies will play a more than important role in the finals.
Wayamba are underdogs. And they know it.
But if their batting fires and the bowlers do better than they have been they have a chance.
Basnahira North.
Favorites. And will play like it.
You cant talk about North without talking about Angelo Matthews. He wants in on the SL test team and is not just knocking on the door, he is going at it with a fucken crowbar and a chainsaw.
600 runs in 4 games. 2 centuries. One a massive 270 against holders Kadurata. The other against Wayamba in the league match. Wayamba needs to nip Matthews in the bud if they are to stand any chance. Matthews will partner Kaushal Silva and Ian Daniels in the batting as they look to take apart Wayamba as they have done to all others.
But if Wayamba can keep these 3 quiet then things might start looking good for them. Captan Kandamby has been out of form in the inter provs. And the rest of the batting hasnt been that flash.
With the ball North leads with Damikka ‘Pyscho’ Prasad and Darshanapriya. Both have had good seasons without being outstanding. Prasad is another dude trying to get into the test team so you can be sure he will be running in with a bit of anger and his trade mark crazyness.
It will all depend on how the spinners go and Pushparakumara’s offies have been a massive boost for North this season. 16 wickets makes him the 2nd highest wicket taker in the tournament.
Pitch
With the match being at the Premadasa, you can be sure there wont be much in it for the quicks. So win the toss and bat is the mantra.
A couple of spinners in the team wont hurt either and both teams will be banking on their floaters to win them the match.
Prediction
North, by about a 75 runs.
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