Today’s games crucial for both Wayamba and Basnahira

Chris DHAMBARAGE

The SLT ‘Five Elevens’ Inter Provincial cricket tournament has reached its climax with three teams still vying for honours to enter the final with the last two preliminary round games to be worked off today.

Lanka Bell Wayamba Eleven led by Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardena will take on Kumar Sangakkara’s unbeaten MAS Kandurata Eleven in a crucial encounter that promises to be an exciting contest at the Welagedera Stadium in Kurunegala.

In addition Lexmark Basnahira South captained by Tillekeratne Dilshan will be up against Sanath Jayasuriya’s Hirdramani Ruhuna Eleven in another match to be worked off at the Galle International Stadium.

The Hirdramani Ruhuna Eleven of course have already been knocked out of the final having lost all three previous games. Even then this game is quite important for the Lexmark Basnahira South Eleven who still have an outside chance of qualifying to play in Sunday’s final at the SSC ground.

Their chances of playing in the final also depends on the outcome of the other contest between MAS Kandurata Eleven and Lanka Bell Wayamba Eleven. In case Kandurata Eleven who have already secured a berth in the final completes their fourth successive victory in the tournament then there will be three teams with the equal number of points.

For that to happen Basnahira South Eleven also need to overcome Ruhuna Eleven with a bonus point and should improve on their net run rate. Basnahira North of course have already completed their four games and are currently placed third in the latest points table.

Basnahira South are quite confident following their morale boosting six wicket victory against Basnahira North on Tuesday at the SSC ground. Milinda Siriwardena who fashioned their victory with a fine all round display will be hoping to produce a repeat performance. 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.

Lanka Bell Wayamba Eleven (from): Mahela Jayawardena (captain), Jehan Mubarak, Michael van Dort, Mahela Udawatte, Jeewantha Kulatunga, Lanka de Silva, Shalika Karunanayake, Farveez Maharoof, Ishara Amerasinghe, Chanaka Welagedera, Rangana Herath, Sameera de Zoysa, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Ajantha Mendis

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.

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.

Inter Provincial One Day Tournament Points Table

Team		M	W	L	NR/TIE	BP	PTS	NRR

Kandurata	3	3	-	-	1	13	 1.632
Wayamba		3	2	1	-	2	10	 0.541
Basnahira (N)	4	2	2	-	2	10	-0.330
Basnahira (S)	3	1	2	-	1	5	-0.484
Ruhuna		3	-	3	-	-	0	-1.622