MAS Kandurata XI looking to maintain unbeaten record

Chris Dhambarage

MAS Kandurata Eleven will be hoping to maintain their unbeaten record when they take on the Hirdramani Ruhuna Eleven in their 'Five Elevens' Inter Provincial limited overs cricket tournament match under lights at the R. Premadasa Stadium today.

The MAS Kandurata Eleven captained by dynamic wicket keeper batsman Kumar Sangakkara have recorded two straight victories in the tournament against the Lexmark Basnahira South Eleven and E Wis Basnahira North Eleven respectively.

This time of course they will be up against a different combination and will be under tremendous pressure to maintain their reputation. The Hirdramani Ruhuna team led by dashing all rounder Sanath Jayasuriya is considered as the best outfit on paper but they are still looking for their first win of the tournament.

Jayasuriya who missed the previous game against the Lanka Bell Wayamba Eleven at the Welagedera Stadium on Saturday is back in the team and they will be determined to bounce back with an improved performance. Even then MAS Kandurata are left with two more games and they also have the best net run in the entire tournament.

Meanwhile E Wis Basnahira North will be hoping to consolidate their position when they confront Lexmark Basnahira South in another 'Five Elevens' Inter Provincial limited overs tournament match at the SSC ground in Maitland Place today.

This will be the last outing for the E Wis Basnahira North Eleven and they are determined to collect the maximum points before qualifying into next Sunday's final to be played at the same venue. In contrast the Lexmark Basnahira South Eleven are yet to register a victory having lost both games against Lanka Bell Wayamba and MAS Kandurata respectively.

But still they have two games in hand and if they are to challenge the rest of the teams they need to win both by huge margins with bonus points and also should improve on their net run rate.

The teams:

MAS Kandurata Eleven (from): Tharanga Paranavithana, Sajith Fernando, Thushara Mirando, Kumar Sangakkara, Chamara Kapugedera, Chinthaka Jayasinghe, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Muttiah Muralitharan, Thilan Samaraweera, Akalanka Ganegama, Suraj Mohamed, Nadeera Nawala, Kanchana Gunawardena, Nisitha Rupasinghe and Chaminda Vidanapathirana.

Hirdramani Ruhuna Eleven (from): Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Upul Tharanga, Saman Jayantha, Tillekeratne Sampath, Gihan de Silva, Anil Rideegammanagedera, Indika de Saram, Dilhara Lokuhettige, Kosala Kulasekera, Sachithra Senanayake, Lasith Malinga, Sujeeva de Silva and Sajeewa Weerakoon.

E Wis Basnahira North (from): Chaminda Vaas (captain), Avishka Gunawardena, Kaushal Silva, Ruwin Peiris, Thilina Kandamby, Dhanuka Pathirana, Shanuka Dissanayake, Gayan Wijekoon, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara, Nuwan Kulasekera, Dhammika Prasad, Shantha Kalawitigoda

Lexmark Basnahira South (from): Tillekeratne Dilshan (captain), Dilruwan Perera, Chamara Silva, Hasantha Fernando, Prasanna Jayawardena, Nuwan Zoysa, Ruchira Perera, Malinga Bandara, Ranga Dias, Milinda Siriwardena, Suranga Lakmal, Chanaka Komasaru.