SLC National Super League Colombo face Kandy, Galle take on Dambulla

By M. Shamil Amit 

The third round of the National Super  League Provincial cricket tournament will get under way today at the R.  Premadasa Cricket Stadium and Rangiri Dambulu Stadium with two matches down  for decision. 

Galle will meet Dambulla at Dambulla  while Colombo, the only team to secure an outright win so far, will confront  Kandy at R. Premadasa Stadium. 

The pick of the two matches is no doubt  the encounter between Colombo and Kandy who both have a strong outfit.  Colombo after their innings win against Dambulla will be seeking to make a  repeat while on the other hand Kandy will be aiming to chalk up their first  win. 

On paper Kandy looks the side to bank  on as they posses top notch players in the calibre of Sahan Arachchige who  had a successful stint in the encounter against Jaffna, along with Kasun  Vidura, skipper Kamindu Mendis, Lahiru Udara, Oshada Fernando, Ashian Daniel  to name a few. 

Kandy batsmen have been in top form  as their contributions saw the side notching up big scores, making 482  against Galle and 503 against Jaffna and they will be hoping to keep up the  momentum continue in their form. 

On the other hand Colombo will depend  on Roshen Silva who along with Nisala Tharaka, Nuwanindu Fernando, Ashen  Bandara and Krishan Sanjula will have to make big contributions for Colombo  to put up a challenging score on the board. 

However even though Colombo is the  only side to chalk up an outright win they are up against the table leaders  Kandy who will leave no stone unturned to remain at the top. 
Galle will come out as the hot  favourites against Dambulla in the other encounter as they posses talented  players in the likes of Pabasara Waduge, Suminda Lakshan, Sangeeth Cooray,  Heshan Hettiarachchi, Hashan Dumindu, Priyamal Perera and all-rounder Chanaka  Ruwansiri from whom much will be expected. 

Dambulla who played for the first  time last week will need to tighten their performances and the batsmen will  need to put their heads down if they are to make any impression. Their  batting was their weakness as against Colombo making 277 and then were  bundled out for a meager 107 runs.