SLC Invitational T20 Unbeaten Blues and Greys to battle for supremacy

Dasun Shanaka in action (File photo)

By M. Shamil Amit

The SLC Invitational T20 cricket tournament, which is in progress at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium after a rest day yesterday, will see two third-round matches down for decision.

Of the two matches scheduled to be played, the focus will be the clash between the two unbeaten teams; SLC Blues led by Angelo Perera who are on top of the table with a better run rate and SLC Greys led by Dasun Shanaka. The fixture is due to be played at 7 p.m. Prior to this match, SLC Reds led by Dinesh Chandimal and SLC Greens led by Ashan Priyanjan, who have lost both their matches, will battle each other to secure their first win.

The clash between the two unbeaten teams should no doubt be a closely contested affair, as the two teams are equally balanced with talented players.

However, the cynosure of all eyes will be SLC Greys skipper Shanaka, who has been in top form with the bat, having made two top-knocks; the first being a quick-fire 84 in 41 balls in their thrilling one-run win against SLC Greens, followed by another fine match-winning knock of 48 in their win against SLC Reds.
Apart from Shanaka, they have in their ranks Kamil Mishara, Pulina Tharanga, Minod Bhanuka, Lahiru Madusanka, Milinda Siriwardena and all-rounder Chathuranga de Silva, from whom they will be for useful contributions to bolster the scoreboard while the SLC Greys bowling will revolve around Tharanga, Ashian Daniel, Lahiru Madusanka and Nuwan Pradeep to curtail their opponents.

On the other hand, SLC Blues too have the players to steer them in the ranks of Ashen Bandara, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sahan Arachchige, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Nishan Madushka and skipper Perera who has yet to make any impression to guide the side, while the bowling duties to restrict their opponents will be in the hands of Praveen Jayawickrama, Perera and Maheesh Theekshana, who have been in the forefront of their bowling department.

In the battle for the first win between SLC Reds and SLC Greens, the focus will be on three batsmen; Kamindu Mendis and Pathum Nissanka of SLC Greens and SLC Reds’ Oshada Fernando.

Mendis is in top form, having made two top-knocks of 76 against SLC Greys and an unbeaten 53 against SLC Blues which unfortunately proved to be vain, while Nissanka made an unbeaten 76 against also against SLC Blues. Apart from these two, the SLC Greens will depend on Lahiru Udara, Sammu Ashan, Ramesh Mendis and skipper Priyanjan while Lahiru Kumara, Mendis and Lakshan Sandakan will have to up their game in the bowling department.

For SLC Reds, Fernando has been the only batsman to impress and much will be expected from Avishka Fernando, Asela Gunaratne and Nipun Dhananjaya in the fixture. Akila Dhananjaya, Prabath Jayasuriya and Seekuge Prasanna will be in charge of bowling duties.